The Salvation Army Service Center of Brownwood has been working to meet the school supply needs of local children as they prepare for school, and nearly 1000 children will have benefitted from the project this weekend.
Brown County students and those in Cross Plains (newly adopted into the program) were eligible for the supplies distribution which began on Tuesday according to Salvation Army Director Donna Harris. As of Friday afternoon, 960 children were registered for the program and that number continues to grow.
“Calls continue to pour into the Salvation Army and as many as 80 more are expected to show up on Saturday as the distribution continues,” Harris said.
Saturday from 10am-6pm, volunteers will continue the project with the following distribution schedule:
10:00am-1:00pm Those who already picked up packs but found items missing (due to shortages in some items) may come and get missing supplies.
2:00pm-6:00pm Students who have registered, but have not come in for the distribution, may pickup packs
4:00pm-6:00pm New applicants may come and receive any needed supplies that remain available.
Harris asked that anyone who has supplies that have not been donated, please bring them in early Saturday morning. Any additional supplies are greatly appreciated as store shelves have become bare at some retailers such as Wal-Mart, Kroger and Brookshire’s, according to Harris. She stated that these stores are in the process of restocking their shelves but that the demand has outweighed the supply.
Harris stated that several businesses such as Staples, Kroger, Vulcan, E-Z Pawn, Dollar General, and Spa on the Creek gathered donations or held fundraisers to help pay for supplies. She also explained that many different agencies throughout Brownwood also helped in the collection.
“The community really poured itself out. We are taking care of 1000 kids this year,” said Harris. “There are too many businesses and volunteers to possibly thank them all.”
Harris explained that the Brown County Lions Club has been helping with the sorting, packing and distribution of supplies since Tuesday and that many of her staff and younger volunteers have also been involved.
“We have the best team in the Salvation Army here in Brownwood. It’s unbelievable how great these volunteers are,” said Harris.
Harris stated that the project has been successful beyond what she had imagined.
“Our prayer at the beginning has been that we could meet the needs of the last child, and I believe we will,” said Harris. “We did run out of backpacks but we are making some calls.”
