Program needs more backpacks, supplies for students
When Cheryl and Mike Cicchetti recently tied the knot, they asked wedding guests to bring school supplies instead of crystal and linen.
The couple is among a number of community members gathering school supplies for a Spokane Valley Community Center back-to-school program. The program distributes backpacks and other school-related gear to children from low-income families, who struggle to afford extras.
Although the program has already amassed boxes of supplies, the need is still great and time is running out. Organizers are hoping to get 1,000 additional backpacks by the end of next week.
“The one thing that kids use every single day is backpacks,” said Margie Tibbits, a Horizon Middle School teacher who serves on the center’s auxiliary. She believes that students who arrive on the first day of school with new backpacks gain a bit of confidence.
Last year’s program helped 1,400 children. However, donations of backpacks fell short and the center was forced to choose which grades would get backpacks and which wouldn’t.
“It always happens that you have siblings and one gets a backpack and the other doesn’t. There’s hurt feelings and crushed self-esteem,” said Mollie Dalpae, center director.
Dalpae is hoping to gather enough backpacks by the end of next week to serve all the children on the center’s list.
Boxes of supplies are arriving daily thanks to a variety of creative fund-raisers.
About 30 children belonging to Camp Fire U.S.A. Inland Northwest Council and their parents withstood scorching temperatures last weekend to stand in front of two Valley stores. They collected five barrels full of items, although they received only three backpacks.
“They did pretty good out there. It was so hot. It was like 103 degrees that Saturday. I was trying to hurry so the crayons wouldn’t melt,” said Melinda Norman, council chairwoman.
They’ll be at the Valley Wal-Mart this weekend collecting donations.
Tibbits’ students organized slushy sales that raised $200 this past school year. When she contacted Office Depot to ask about getting a discount on packs, her call resulted in the company donating 180 backpacks, complete with notebooks and other items.
Tomlinson Black Valley contributed 100 backpacks filled with pencils, pens and other supplies.
Guests at the Cicchetti’s wedding donated enough supplies to more than fill a donation barrel, and her boss at Spokane Eye Clinic gave the center $100.
“It made us feel really good to be able to help out and it came at the perfect time of year,” Cicchetti said.
Besides collecting school supplies, the center is looking for volunteers to help with its big distribution night on Wednesday. For information, call 927-1153.
Backpacks and other school supplies are being collected through the end of next week. Donations can be dropped off at Spokane Valley Community Center, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. The center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.