Purpose
The start of a new school year means buying school
supplies. For many families, the cost of school
supplies brings added financial stress and worry.
Project Fresh Start depends on the support of the
Portage County community to help eligible children
receive the supplies they need to go back to school
ready to learn. Nearly one-third of children attending
Portage County public schools in grades K-12
(more than 2,600 students) qualify for free or reduced
lunch program and are eligible to participate in Project
Fresh Start.
How it works
Individuals or groups collect school supplies and drop
them off the week of August 16 at one of the locations
where the LIVE UNITED truck will be parked or at Ben
Franklin Junior High on August 19. To view the current
participating collection groups, click on the "Drive/Drop
Site Partners" link on the right. The school supplies will
be sorted and distributed to students on August 21
and 30. Last year, over 800 students received school
supplies. This year, we'd like to reach at least 1,300
of the 2,600 eligible students!
How to Register to Get Free School Supplies
If your children qualify for free or reduced lunch for the
upcoming school year and you wish to register them:
complete a registration form by August 5th (see link
to the right) students from Almond-Bancroft schools
do not need to pre-register There is no onsite
registration for this event. All participants (except
Almond-Bancroft students) must register by August
5th. To receive supplies, all registered persons must
attend the event on August 21 (August 30 for
Almond-Bancroft). Organizers will not set aside
supplies for those unable to attend this event.
Hold a Drive or Be a Drop Site:
Organizations, groups or businesses may participate
by holding their own internal drive and be a Drive
Partner. They can also choose to be a Drop Site
Partner (generally high foot traffic locations where
community members can drop off schools supplies.)
For information about how to hold a drive, be a drop
site or to see what groups are already participating,
see the links to the right.
Volunteer:
We need LOTS of help to assist with the drop and drive
sites and to sort and distribute supplies during the
weeks of August 16. Starting June 15,
individuals may view volunteer opportunities by going
to volunteer opportunities by clicking here.
Cash Donations:
Cash or check donations are being accepted at
United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center.
Donations to support Project Fresh Start can
be sent to:
Project Fresh Start,
1100 Centerpoint Drive #301,
Stevens Point, WI 54481.
|
