In the days ... we had working moms in panic because after buying school supplies with gas and food money, they were to bring an additional 10 glue stix, bundles of tissues, wipes, sanitizers etc. or their kids could not come to school. How heartless and seemingly frivolous. Kids already wore hand-me-downs and had holes in their too tight, out of style shoes. They had long walks to the bus or to school in bad weather because moms had to be at work or had no transportation, period.
School was important more for the free lunches, socializing, a supervised environment, and to some extent, education.
A few single mothers got together and filled some backpacks for the kids with the little money we could scrape together to give some kids a fair start. We thought about the kids who had no advocate and started to partner with schools, donating some supplies, so kids who "missed" an item on their must-have-list could pick one up at the office where they had "extras". Teachers were happy too when we donated a few book fair coupons so the kids who could not afford a favorite book were not stigmatized. Eventually we suggested that Schools would prominently display a supply barrel so parents who could afford it, could drop a small over-purchase into the barrel for students who needed help. At Christmas, the barrels were used for new socks, underwear, and shoes.
We did the same process with food banks where the moms would go in time of crisis and just add some bulk/wholesale paper products.*
I have seen moms cry walking by the colored pencils, backpacks, folders, and tissues.
Depending on the season, we have added sidewalk style bins for clean coats, appropriate books, videos, movies etc. We also encourage national chains to be active in the local Community that supports them. It's just good marketing to do back to school haircuts, dental exams, a free ice cream cone or hot dog. It makes you approachable for business.
*Major Food Banks get paper donations from time to time. Partner with them and offer pick up, since they can not accept much needed paper products. There are also Diaper Banks who will donate to an organization but not to individuals... this can be done through your church's food bank.
Please, be thoughtful and inclusive of our Military.
Keep paying it forward, the rewards are multiplied.
School was important more for the free lunches, socializing, a supervised environment, and to some extent, education.
A few single mothers got together and filled some backpacks for the kids with the little money we could scrape together to give some kids a fair start. We thought about the kids who had no advocate and started to partner with schools, donating some supplies, so kids who "missed" an item on their must-have-list could pick one up at the office where they had "extras". Teachers were happy too when we donated a few book fair coupons so the kids who could not afford a favorite book were not stigmatized. Eventually we suggested that Schools would prominently display a supply barrel so parents who could afford it, could drop a small over-purchase into the barrel for students who needed help. At Christmas, the barrels were used for new socks, underwear, and shoes.
We did the same process with food banks where the moms would go in time of crisis and just add some bulk/wholesale paper products.*
I have seen moms cry walking by the colored pencils, backpacks, folders, and tissues.
Depending on the season, we have added sidewalk style bins for clean coats, appropriate books, videos, movies etc. We also encourage national chains to be active in the local Community that supports them. It's just good marketing to do back to school haircuts, dental exams, a free ice cream cone or hot dog. It makes you approachable for business.
*Major Food Banks get paper donations from time to time. Partner with them and offer pick up, since they can not accept much needed paper products. There are also Diaper Banks who will donate to an organization but not to individuals... this can be done through your church's food bank.
Please, be thoughtful and inclusive of our Military.
Keep paying it forward, the rewards are multiplied.
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