Filling over 400 backpacks for Merrill children in grades K-5 is no small task. To make it happen, monetary donations and school supplies are needed. Many contributions have already been received and the project is off to a great start.
New backpacks and school supplies can be dropped off at River Valley Bank, Walgreens and Walmart, Needed most are the backpacks themselves. Any backpack appropriate for children in grades K-5 can be accepted. Other items most needed include wide-ruled primary color notebooks, washable markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, and pencil cases. A complete list of needed items can be found at each drop off site. Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to MFTHCI-Backpacks, P.O. Box 793, Merrill, WI 54452. Backpacks will be distributed on Aug. 24, so supplies will be needed by Aug. 18.
The project is sponsored by Merrill Forward Together Healthy Community Initiative, the Optimists, the Lincoln County Family Resource Center, the Lincoln County Extension Office, the 4-H Ambassadors, and Walmart. If you have questions about the Backpack Project, please contact Debi McGregor with the Family Resource Center at 715-539-9228 or Linda Becker at 715-873-4564.