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Backpack and school supply drive for 500 local kids in need

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D.A. Blodgett - St. John's hosts its annual Backpack and School Supply Drive from August 8-August 12, 2016.
DA Blodgett hosts annual backpack drive

DA Blodgett hosts annual backpack drive /Courtesy of D.A. Blodgett St. Johns

Underwriting support from:

500 kids need backpacks and school supplies. You can help!

Did you know on average five kids are abused or neglected each day in Kent County? Help these childen start the school year off with a new backpack and school supplies.

For most children, the first day of school is full of excitement. Unfortunately, for many children that excitement is often overshadowed by worry and embarrassment about being unable to purchase school supplies. The Backpack and School Supply Drive will help prepare our community's most vulnerable children for the first day of school. The donations will give abused and neglected children a brand new backpack filled with a variety of new school supplies for the first day of school. Unfortunately, many children in Kent County are living below the poverty standard and sadly on average, five children in Kent Country are abused or neglected each day. For these children, the excitement of the first day of school is often overshadowed because they are unable to go to school fully prepared to learn with the proper school supplies.

"The back to school drive is a tangible way to help children who have been abused and neglected begin their school year with confidence. Students have a sense of excitement knowing they have what they need to be successful. The support our community provides through this drive is remarkable, and it is through the generosity of our donors that over 500 vulnerable kids will start he school year off prepared." - Jim Visser, Director of Advancement

With the help of the 10th Annual Backpack and School Supply Drive, over 500 children in D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s foster care, residential care, adoption, KidsFirst Emergency Shelter, Kent School Services Network, and Big Brothers Big Sisters programs will start a new school year with pride.

For information and questions please contact Katie Wybenga at 616-361-4118 or email [email protected].

School Supply Shopping List:

  • Backpacks for elementary students
  • Backpacks for high school students (big and sturdy) *High demand item
  • Hole punched paper (wide rule and college) 
  • 2 Pocket folders 
  • 1 Inch 3 ring binders 
  • Colored pencils 
  • Lined Index Cards (3x5) 
  • Pencil boxes and bags 
  • Pens – blue or black 
  • Pencils
  • Scissors 
  • Spiral notebooks 
  • Rulers - 6” and 12” 
  • Glue sticks 
  • Crayons 
  • Markers 
  • Highlighters

Please drop off or coordinate pick up between Monday, August 8 and Friday, August 12.

--DROP OFF LOCATIONS--

D.A. Blodgett – St. John's
805 Leonard St. NE
Grand Rapids , MI 49503

Adventure Credit Union (formerly Option 1 Credit Union) all Grand Rapids locations

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