by Dennis Dalman
editorial@thenewsleaders.com
More than 1,600 children in the greater St. Cloud area will start school with renewed confidence, thanks to the St. Cloud-based Salvation Army and so many generous contributors.
As of Aug. 28, school backpacks filled with school supplies have been distributed to 1,623 children in central Minnesota. The supplies include such items as markers, crayons, pencils, notebooks, glue sticks and more.
People have been exceedingly generous, said Major Mike Parker, director of the St. Cloud Salvation Army. “And the volunteers were amazing, how they signed up and joined us.”
This pre-school season, the SA gave away four times more school supplies than in previous years. That is because Catholic Charities was not able to distribute school supplies this time around.
Children were able to pick-and-choose which backpack they preferred, based on color and style and so forth. Grade-appropriate items were made available based on what the schools submitted to the SA as needed supplies.
Some school supplies, as long as they last, are still available at the SA. Parents are asked to call 320-252-4552 for information as to how to obtain supplies.
In addition, if people still want to contribute school supplies or money for such supplies, that will all be set aside for next year’s school-supply distribution.
Those who want to donate money can write a check to: Salvation Army, 400 U.S. Hwy. 10 S., St. Cloud, Minn. 56304
Adam Bertsch, 9, of Sartell, a weekly volunteer at the Salvation Army, takes a break after three hours of stuffing school backpacks Aug 17. This particular mound of backpacks was just one of many that climbed up the walls in a large conference room inside the Salvation Army shelter.
