Smart Start Supplies Tools For School

With the onset of summer, probably the last thing on anyone’s mind is school. But one Spokane Valley group is already making preparations for school in the fall.

Smart Start is a program designed to provide low-income children, grades K-12, with school supplies. It operates out of the Spokane Valley Center, an organization that provides basic life necessities to families in need, while promoting skills to enhance self-reliance.

A previous director at the Spokane Valley Center started the program five years ago.

Advertising and the media browbeat Americans with the idea that they need certain things to “belong,” said Barbara Olson, Executive Director of the Spokane Valley Center. Those attitudes influence all aspects of life, including selecting school supplies, she said. “Lower income kids feel unequal, less fortunate and unprepared,” said Olson.

So Smart Start consults school counselors and teachers about what students in each grade will need for class.

Volunteers then get students and their families signed up. The volunteers are in charge of figuring how many children are in each grade and ensuring they have enough to fill each package of supplies. Individual bags are made up according to grade. All kids need to do is come pick them up.

The program is funded by church, PTSA and private donations. Target Stores gives the program a discount on purchases. Camp Fire kids also help raise funds for the program.

“The program gives kids the opportunity to help kids their age. They learn that young children can make a difference in the community,” said Olson.

In fact, last year, six Girl Scouts organized the entire project to earn their Gold Award. What usually requires 50 volunteers was accomplished by six dedicated teenagers.

Last year, 634 kids were served, up from 536 in 1995.

Smart Start has received rave reviews from school officials. They said “it allows (students) self-esteem and confidence. They feel special on the first day of school. It makes a difference in how they will face the school year,” Olson said.

Students must live in either the West Valley, East Valley, Central Valley or Freeman school districts to be eligible.

The program offers a wide range of supplies including pens, crayons, calculators, folders, scissors, rulers, notebooks and lunch bags. And kindergartners get backpacks.

“You should see their faces - they get so excited to see what’s in their bag,” said Olson.

Sign-up for this year’s program starts on July 13.

Smart Start needs about 50 volunteers each year to operate smoothly. To volunteer, make donations or sign up for supplies, call the Spokane Valley Center at 927-1153.

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