Families can apply for free school supplies

By: Katrina Segers, Staff Writer

The Salvation Army makes school preparation easier for families by supplying the right tools.

The Salvation Army accepts applications for free school supplies from families who meet income guidelines and have the proper documentation, case worker Rebecca McKinley said.

Backpacks contain items such as pencils, markers, rulers, notebooks and crayons, she said.

“We go on the Internet and we get a list of supplies from all the different schools and pull what they need and it helps them start the year off,” McKinley said.

The backpacks benefit families because they do not have to spend money to purchase the supplies, she said.

“It helps the kids' education because they are not lacking anything to benefit them,” McKinley said.

Community Resources Coordinator Mindia McManness said the backpacks are age specific and are separated for elementary, secondary and high school students.

McKinley said more than 250 families apply and more than 600 students are helped each year.

Families who apply for the free school supplies at the Salvation Army, 420 E. Santa Fe, Olathe, find out whether they will receive supplies during the application process.

The families are than asked to pick up the supplies from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 3 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 10.

McKinley said the organization wants to help more families.

“We have all these supplies and we definitely want them to be utilized and if we have to put more dates out there, we will.”

McManness said the organization also accepts donations to help offset the cost of purchasing supplies.

INFO BOX

Salvation Army case worker Rebecca McKinley said the organization has been giving away backpacks filled with school supplies for about seven years.

Families applying must provide photo identification for head of household, proof of Johnson County residency like a current utility bill, Social Security cards for everyone in the household, school registration or reduced lunch letter for children in the family who will be receiving the supplies, and proof of income.

Application times are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. on July 31 and Aug. 1, 7 and 8.

For more information or to inquire about income guidelines call the Salvation Army at 785-3640.