BROOKINGS For the 17th year, the Brookings Family Back2School Project will be providing free school supplies to families in need. This years distribution is Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Faith Reformed Church, 1330 Main Ave.
This is for all of Brookings County Sioux Valley, Elkton, Brookings and Deubrook, Jan Stange, organizer, said. We want to help everyone, so we do not look up anybodys financials and do not request to see any paperwork. If a family is feeling that financial stress and pressure, then we want to help them. No questions asked.
She said they try to provide everything on the supply lists of local schools.
Now theres some exceptions, like calculators, Stange said. Calculators can be very expensive, and we dont have the funds to provide those for every child. The schools have some calculators that can be lent to children, and weve told the schools to let us know if they need more. That way it can be ongoing for years rather than a one-time thing.
They also try to help with the cost of new shoes.
So its just a voucher we give out $25 that hopefully helps defray the cost of new shoes, Stange said. Kids need to have the right kind of shoes for PE classes, and some kids just dont have those. Also if kids have been in sandals or flip-flops all summer long, they might not realize their regular shoes dont fit anymore.
Since serving 200 kids the first year, the program has grown to provide for more than twice that number.
We serve between 480 and 520 averaging about 500 kids coming through each year, Stange said. Theres that much need. Wed love it if that number would go down, but it just depends on situations. A job loss, a severe illness or any number of things can affect a family. People would be surprised how many families are struggling. This is just a tiny way we can help ensure every child is prepared for school.
Though the program is free, registration is required by July 25 and can be done through a link at the Brookings Family Back2School Project Facebook page.
Registration is completely electronic, Stange said. There are posters around town with the QR code, so parents can just register with their phones right there. If parents cant for some reason work with the QR registration, all of the school districts that we work with have the registration information on their district webpages.
A variety of informational booths will also be at this years event.
These are people who can help eliminate some stress, Stange said. Its like Brookings Housing, Salvation Army, the Childrens Museum has discounted tickets for families in need, BATA helps provide families with transportation, and the Child and Family Resource Network will be there. There will also be a school district representative to help families fill-out forms for free and reduced meals. We also have Spanish interpreters who will be there, because some of the families do not speak English.
She said they depend on local donations to keep the program running.
Some people want to give us supplies, but weve found over the years its easier for us to go purchase the supplies, Stange said. Theres a donate area on the Facebook page. Anything is welcome. When you think of just $5, that could purchase a notebook, folders and a couple pencils and pens. Everything helps. Notebooks went up a dime each this year. Someone said, well thats just a dime but we give away about 800 notebooks each year. You multiply that out, and cost becomes a concern.
Donations can also be mailed to Family Back2School Project, P.O. Box 224, Brookings SD, 57006.
In Brookings, the first day of school is Aug. 21. Other area schools start sooner Deubrook on Aug. 14, Sioux Valley on Aug. 19 and Elkton on Aug. 20.
Email Jay Roe at [email protected].
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