Summer vacation for students has just started and that means it’s time to get the Backpack Project underway for the 2019-2020 school year. Almost 500 backpacks will be needed and the drive for supplies has now begun, a little earlier this year
Merrill Forward Together Healthy Community Initiative, the Optimists, and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services are again collaborating to collect backpacks and supplies for those in grades K-5 in need. Letters will be going out soon to families that meet federal guidelines for free or reduced lunch.
The distribution site is Prairie River Middle School on Saturday, July 20th, from 9:00-10:30 am in the cafeteria by door 14. Donated supplies are needed by July 17th. Used supplies cannot be accepted and donors of these items should contact other charitable organizations.
Backpacks themselves are the most needed item and any backpack appropriate for children in grades K-5 is appreciated. Donation sites include Dave’s County Market, First Street Coffee Station on Pine Ridge Avenue, River Valley Bank, and Walgreens.
If you donate backpacks and supplies, please keep them separated, if possible. Project organizers need to empty all backpacks. Each grade and each school require different supplies. Coordinators also ask that only supplies on the list be donated. Items contributed that are not on the list cannot be used for this project and will be donated to another like charity.
Monetary contributions are needed as well and accepted at any time during the year. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to MFTHCI – Backpacks • P.O. Box 793 • Merrill, WI 54452.
If you have questions about the Backpack Project, please contact Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services at (715) 539-5443 or Linda Becker at (715) 873-4564.
2019 Backpacks and Supplies Needed
Items in Bold Needed the Most
Backpack – Boys (For K-5; Not Small Ones)
Backpack – Girls (For K-5; Not Small Ones)
Binder (1″) White
Binder (1 1/2″) White
Binder (2″) White
Crayons
Disinfectant Wipes
Dry Erase Markers (Thin)
Dry Erase Markers (Wide – Any Color)
Dry Erase Markers (Wide – Black)
Erasers (Pencil Top)
Erasers (Pink)
Folder (3 Prong Paper)
Folder (3 Prong Plastic)
Folder (3 Prong with Pocket)
Folder (Paper – Primary Colors)
Folder (Plastic)
Glue Bottle
Glue Stick
Hand Sanitizer
Headphones (Over ear, not buds)
Highlighter (Multicolor)
Highlighter (Yellow)
Kleenex
Markers (Wide – Non-Washable)
Markers (Wide – Washable)
Markers (Sharpie Fine Point)
Markers (Thin – Non-Washable)
Markers (Thin Washable)
Notebook (Spiral – 3 Subject)
Notebook (Composition)
Notebook (Wide Rule)
Paper (Loose Leaf)
Pencil Box (8.5″ x 5.5″)
Pencil Pouch
Pencil Sharpener
Pencils
Pencils (Colored)
Post-it Notes (2″ x 2″)
Post-it Notes (3″x 3″)
Post-it Notes (3′ x 5′ or larger)
Ruler (Wood)
Scissors (Adult)
Scissors (Blunt)
Scissors (Pointed)
Soap (Liquid Antibacterial)
Ziploc Bags (Gallon)
Ziploc Bags (Quart)