On Saturday, August 14, children and families visited Prairie River Middle School to pick up backpacks and school supplies as part of the Merrill Forward Together Healthy Community Initiative (MFTHCI) Backpack Program. Working together with the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (CHW) Community Services and the Merrill Optimist Club, donated supplies were distributed to the families of kindergarten through sixth graders who qualify for free or reduced school lunches. Through the generous donations of individuals, organizations, and businesses, those young students are now off to a great start for the 2021-2022 school year.
Monetary donations are still graciously accepted, allowing MFTHCI to purchase items at sale prices throughout the year. Donations can be sent to MFTHCI-Backpacks at PO Box 793 in Merrill.
Families of students in grades K-6 who qualify for free or reduced school lunch under federal guidelines that are new to the Merrill area, or those that were unable to pick up backpacks on Saturday, should contact Jana at Children’s Wisconsin at 715.539.5441 to get needed supplies.