Over 2,500 Backpacks Filled Since 2010
File Photo
Oskaloosa, IA — United Way of Mahaska County is partnering with SIEDA, the Salvation Army and local businesses to launch another year of Operation Backpack. 2017 marks the ninth year of the program, and coordinators are confident that this year will be another that fully represents the Oskaloosa community’s commitment to their children and schools. Since 2010, Operation Backpack has provided over 2,500 backpacks full of school supplies to children in need in Mahaska County. These bags of supplies ensure students are adequately prepared to learn, and more confident in their ability to succeed in school.
Operation Backpack donation boxes are at local businesses throughout Mahaska County. On Friday, July 28th, from 11 AM to 1 PM, those boxes will be brought to the North Hy-Vee parking lot for the United Way’s annual Stuff the Bus event. 2017 will be the seventh year of Stuff the Bus, an event supplies everything needed for Operation Backpack. During the event, donation boxes full of school supplies will be used to “stuff” an entire school bus.
This year Operation Backpack is also teaming up with Penn Central Mall, Oskaloosa News, and the Oskaloosa Herald to hold its first sculpture contest. Several local businesses that will construct sculptures out of school supplies, which will be displayed in Penn Central Mall from August 1st through the 6th. After August 6th, the best sculpture as decided by Oskaloosa citizens will receive a plaque. After the competition, all supplies from the sculptures will fill the backpacks of local children.
In the weeks following the supply drive, volunteers will work to sort through donations, fill hundreds of backpacks, and distribute them to families in need. Applications to receive a backpack will be available in the Oskaloosa Shopper, as well as SIEDA’s Oskaloosa office, United Way of Mahaska County, Oskaloosa Summer Lunch Program locations, Crisis Intervention Services, Love INC, and online at UnitedWayMahaska.org/OpBackpack. All applications must be returned to SIEDA by 4:30 PM, July 28th, 2017.
Operation Backpack is successful, largely due to amount of support it receives from the community. Anyone who would like more information on how they can help support Mahaska County students should contact United Way of Mahaska County at (641)673-6043 or by email at uwmc.intern@gmail.com.
Operation Backpack (click for larger view)
