LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS COLLABORATE ON OPERATION BACKPACK 2012
United Way
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Students may still be counting down to summer break but the Operation Backpack of Mahaska County Committee is already preparing for the fourth annual back-to-school county backpack program season.
Operation Backpack is a united effort between Salvation Army, SIEDA, the United Way of Mahaska County, and Love INC as well as many community social organizations, churches, and individuals, to insure students are equipped to start school in the fall. Multiple local businesses and community groups host public collection sites or internal supply drives, as well as provide funding to support this program.
Registration forms are being made available through the Oskaloosa Public School District as well as the Oskaloosa Christian School. They will also be included in the Herald Shopper and are available on the United Way of Mahaska County website: www.unitedwaymahaska.org. Applications must be returned by mail or in person to SIEDA at 114 N Market Street in Oskaloosa. The deadline for SIEDA to receive applications is Friday, July 13, 2012. No applications will be accepted after that time.
Families at no more than 190% of the federal poverty line are able to apply for one backpack per student. Backpacks will be filled with as many of the required school supplies as funding allows. Backpacks will be distributed to as many children as possible, based on the degree of greatest need according to family income. Income will be verified prior to backpack distribution.
Distribution will be held near the beginning of August. Families will be contacted with details on when their backpacks will be available.
BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are seeking collection sites for the public to donate school supplies and businesses/organizations interesting in holding internal supply drives. Special support is available for internal supply drives: individualized flyers, official collection boxes, and the opportunity for a speaker.
We’re also looking for organizations to donate funds to purchase school supplies. On average, a stocked backpack costs $20; last year the program awarded stuffed backpacks to 418 children county-wide. If your organization is able, please consider “sponsoring” a number of children. Every $20 given is another child helped. Monetary donations are tax-deductible, and can be delivered in person or mailed to:
Attn: Operation Backpack
United Way of Mahaska County
500 High Avenue West
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Volunteers will be needed during the weeks of July 23-27 and July 30-Aug 3 to help sort supplies and prepare the backpacks. If you’d like to contribute to the success of this season’s program, please contact
