Less Fortunate Get Help In Time For Back To School
Back to school time can be a daunting time for many school-aged children, especially those who are under privileged. Thankfully several Edmond organizations and churches are helping these students be prepared with new clothes and school supplies.
The Hope Center’s back-to-school supply giveaway is Monday. “Starting school feeling like everybody else is so important to a child and it just sets the tone and gets them started right and makes school something to look forward to instead of being embarrassed,” said director Chris Speery. Last year the Hope Center helped 1,155 children during back to school time. That number could rise as high as 1,200 this year.
“We get the list from Edmond Public schools so when a child comes in and tells us what grade and school they go to we fill a backpack with what they need,” Speery said. The children also get a gift card for shoes.
The Hope Center is located at 1251 N Broadway. You can call at 348-1340 for information about donations.
Henderson Hills Baptist Church school supply drive to put free backpacks and supplies into the hands of at least 1,000 students ends Monday. Associate Pastor Rev. Craig McLain said last year the church provided supplies for about 200 students. “Any donations after Monday can be brought to the church,” McLain said.
The donations will be distributed Aug. 13 in the church’s gymnasium. Families showing an Edmond utility bill can select free school items, including backpacks, with the help of a volunteer at the church.
Citizens Caring for Children, with help from the Junior League of Oklahoma City, has been taking donations for their annual back-to-school drive for metro-area foster children.
The organization still needs donations of new jeans, shirts, shoes, underwear and socks. “We especially have a real need for shoes,” said Executive Director Diana Harbolt. “The purpose of the drive is to allow foster children to return to school wearing new clothes on the first day.” More than 800 foster care children are expected to pick up new clothes and school supplies this year.
The clothing drive will be Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout August at the organization’s resource center. Clients must call to set up a time to attend the clothing drive. Donations are still being accepted at Citizens Caring for Children located at 3317 S Wynn Drive.
Again this year Edmond-based UR Special Ministries is providing new clothing for at-risk children between the age of 3 and 11. Spokesperson Darcy Graham said the clothing giveaway will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 15 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 16.
Let me encourage you to support these organizations at this time. School can be hard enough without starting the first day emotionally behind other students.
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