| HOW PROJECT BACKPACK WORKSIf your family was eligible for free or reduced-fee meals in the Ortonville or Big Stone City schools last year (or you were eligible in the Bellingham school last year and your kids are attending the Ortonville school this year), you are eligible!
If your financial situation has deteriorated since last year due to job lay-offs, disability, etc. and you think your family will qualify for the school program, feel free to participate. We know financial situations change and we want to help those who need it.
We don't verify any income information or have anyone's name on a list. We just ask for honest participation because we purchase the supplies based on the numbers of eligible kids we are given by the schools. We want to be sure the kids who need this help are able to get it.
Come to New Life Community Baptist church on distribution day and the process is simple.
Stop at the Welcome Table to pick up a supply list for your grade. Put your name on it. They will be collected before you leave.
We will have each parent/guardian sign a Consent to Photograph because we may be taking pictures to be used for this website, newspapers or other printed materials. You can consent or decline to give your permission.
Go into the gym area and if you want a backpack, go to the middle area to pick one out for yourself. If you don't want a backpack, you can proceed to the tables as directed on your supply list.
Each item has a table number listed after it. This will direct you to the table that has that supply on it. You can go in whatever order you want. For example, if your list says you need 5 pencils, you will go to Table #3 and pick out 5 pencils. Table # 1 has scissors and Table # 13 has boxes of kleenex. Make sure you mark off what you pick up as you get it.
When your checklist is complete, please hand that in before you leave so we can use the sheets to account for supplies and get numbers of kids served.
| | AWESOME TURNOUT!
We provided 127 kids with backpacks and school supplies on August 12, 2009!
We were so happy to see people come and take advantage of this program. Many happy faces were observed as kids, their families and the volunteers took part in this worthwhile project!
We served 98 kids from Ortonville and 29 Big Stone City students.
There were 311 eligible kids so approximately 40% of those eligible took part in Project Backpack!
In addition to the distribution day, we continue to work with the schools to provide supplies to new arrivals as needed throughout the year.
We hope to grow and serve even more families in next year!
Thank you to all who helped in any way!
Thank you to all the donors that contributed this year! We can't continue this program without you!
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