This summer, thousands of foster kids in Alabama are set to receive backpacks filled with school supplies. The initiative, which aims to distribute between four and six thousand backpacks, is a welcome relief for many foster families across the state.
For more than 15 years, Kids to Love, a nonprofit organization based in Madison, has been organizing their annual More Than a Backpack drive. Through this initiative, students ranging from kindergarten to college receive the necessary supplies to start the school year on the right foot.
It’s unfortunate that foster children are often forced to move from one home to another without a proper way to transport their clothes and personal belongings. Tasha Jones, the Operations Director, revealed that many of these children resort to using trash bags as a means of carrying their belongings.
Jones stated that in most cases, children come into care without any possessions or belongings. It is not uncommon for them to arrive with absolutely nothing.
Each backpack comes equipped with essential items such as pencils, pens, and notebooks. Additionally, depending on the age of the child, tools like calculators and rulers are also included.
Alex Phillips, a volunteer, shared that her decision to participate this year is driven by her desire to ensure that foster children have access to the same necessities as her own children.
Phillips, a parent of two children, believes in the importance of providing school supplies to those in need. “I have two kids at home that I know have all the school supplies to go back to school, so I think it’s great to do that for others,” Phillips said.
Community partnerships and local donations make the drive possible for Kids to Love. Although the demand for supplies is highest at the beginning of the school year, the organization requires donations throughout the year.
Jones explained that their organization not only provides school supplies to children before the school year starts, but they also offer continuous support to foster parents throughout the year. “If a foster parent reaches out to us and informs us that they need school supplies for their twelve-year-old, we immediately go to our boxes and provide them with the necessary items,” Jones said. This service is not limited to a specific time of the year, as the organization understands that school supplies are required throughout the year.
The backpacks, once they have been organized, will be distributed to various locations in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. If you’re interested in donating supplies, you can find collection boxes at all CB&S Bank branches. The deadline for donations is July 29th.
Head to the Kids to Love website to find out more about how you can get involved with donations and volunteering.
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