The Hub and Bethlehem Lutheran Church hosting school supply drive to help Cook County students have a successful school year
Aug 28, 2023 07:30AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Laura Rivera
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - August 9, 2023
Like it or not, it's time to start thinking about heading back to school - which means purchasing supplies for the year. If you're a parent or guardian who buys supplies for their kids, you may have noticed that like a lot of items, prices have gone up.
In fact, according to a Star Tribune article published in July 2023, the cost of school supplies has risen 24% over the past two years which can put a strain on families that are already trying to keep up with inflation.
The organization Teach for America states that "For students whose families cannot afford supplies, coming to school unprepared can create social and emotional challenges, in addition to putting kids at a disadvantage for learning."
Related: Cook County VITA/TCE tax assistance volunteers: save those back-to-school supply receipts, you may qualify for an Education Credit on your 2023 taxes
To help students succeed, over 90% of teachers end up paying for supplies out of pocket (an average of $500 a year before the pandemic), according to the National Education Association - one of the reasons teachers are leaving the profession in large numbers across the nation.
To assist families locally this year, The Hub is collaborating with Bethlehem Lutheran Church to help Cook County students start the year off on the right track.
Financial donations: Financial donations can be made out to The Cook County Council on Aging, all proceeds will be used to purchase school supplies that will be distributed to students.
How else can you help? Help spread the word! Team up with co-workers, your neighborhood, faith community and share with others to help make this a success.
For questions or more information, call: 218-387-2660 or email: [email protected]
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - August 9, 2023
Like it or not, it's time to start thinking about heading back to school - which means purchasing supplies for the year. If you're a parent or guardian who buys supplies for their kids, you may have noticed that like a lot of items, prices have gone up.
In fact, according to a Star Tribune article published in July 2023, the cost of school supplies has risen 24% over the past two years which can put a strain on families that are already trying to keep up with inflation.
The organization Teach for America states that "For students whose families cannot afford supplies, coming to school unprepared can create social and emotional challenges, in addition to putting kids at a disadvantage for learning."
Related: Cook County VITA/TCE tax assistance volunteers: save those back-to-school supply receipts, you may qualify for an Education Credit on your 2023 taxes
To help students succeed, over 90% of teachers end up paying for supplies out of pocket (an average of $500 a year before the pandemic), according to the National Education Association - one of the reasons teachers are leaving the profession in large numbers across the nation.
To assist families locally this year, The Hub is collaborating with Bethlehem Lutheran Church to help Cook County students start the year off on the right track.
The goal of the drive is to ensure all students have what they need to learn and succeed, and to reach their full learning potential this school year.
Donations will be distributed to all Cook County schools.Here's what you need to know
Collection Period: August 1 — September 1, 2023
Drop off location: The Hub/Sr. Center, 10 North Broadway, Grand Marais
Pick-up option: Items can be arranged for pick up by calling 218-387-2660 or [email protected]
Supplies needed:
- Backpacks
- Erasers
- Spiral Notebooks
- Composition Notebooks
- Folders
- Pencil box
- 24 Count Crayons
- Colored Pencils
- Markers
- Glue sticks
- Bottled Glue
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Pencil sharpener
- Loose-leaf paper
- Hand sanitizer
- Folders
- 3 Binders
- Highlighters (pink, yellow, green, & blue)
Optional and appreciated:
- Back Pack
- Kleenex
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Gallon & quart size Ziploc Bags
- Dry Erase Markers
- Sticky notes (High School)
- Index Cards
- Healthy Snacks to share (preferably peanut and nut-free)
- Band-Aids
- Hand Sanitizer
- Cups, plates, napkins, forks, spoons
- Decks of cards
- Dice
- Scientific Calculator (High School)
- Head Phones
- Ear buds
Financial donations: Financial donations can be made out to The Cook County Council on Aging, all proceeds will be used to purchase school supplies that will be distributed to students.
How else can you help? Help spread the word! Team up with co-workers, your neighborhood, faith community and share with others to help make this a success.
For questions or more information, call: 218-387-2660 or email: [email protected]
