We are the village: Help kids go back to school

A new school year is just around the corner and stores are buzzing with the back to school sales. While buying new supplies is an exciting time for many students, hundreds of low-income youth will start this school year without the tools they need. This year’s tough economy is making it especially difficult for Twin Cities families to afford the supplies needed for their kids to succeed in school and continue their education.

The public school systems in St. Paul and Minneapolis are depending on outside donations and supply drives to prepare less fortunate students with the supplies they need to learn this school year. You can make a difference in a child’s education with a simple donation of a notebook or pack of pens at one of many supply drives and charities around the metro area.

Where to donate:

• Donate supplies at any metro Rainbow Foods or Huntington Learning Center through September 17. Supplies will be donated to public schools in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Click here for specific locations.

• Family & Children’s Service is a nonprofit organization that works with low income families around the Twin Cities to provide support and counseling. They are accepting school supply donations in their Minneapolis, Bloomington and Brooklyn Park locations. Click here for drop off hours and specific locations. To give a cash donation, contact Michelle Klatt at 612-341-1620 or mklatt@fcsmn.org.

• Volunteers of America is accepting donations for “Operation Backpack” through August 24. Drop off a backpack at filled with supplies specific to a grade K-12 at participating locations including Panera Bread and the Wells Fargo Center. Click here for specific locations sites and school supply lists for each grade.

• Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club will have donation bins available in all Twin Cities stores through August 24. Donated items will be distributed to Twin City public school students through the Salvation Army.

• The Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is accepting monetary donations of any amount for their Mission Backpack drive. Kids ages 5-18 will receive a backpack filled with supplies. $39 fills one backpack. Click here for information.

• The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations through August 22 for their Leaders Launching Learners program. $100 provides one Twin Cities student with clothing and school supplies.

• Staples is accepting donations through September 19 at their HarMar Mall location in Roseville. Supplies will be given directly to students in the Twin Cities through the non-profit organization, LDA Minnesota.

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Jaclyn Evert (email evert027@umn.edu) is a journalism student at the University of Minnesota.