By Sammie Garrity for Boreal Community Media - August 19, 2024

With back-to-school season in full swing, it brings great anticipation for the upcoming year. The exciting reunion of friends and classmates and the palpable excitement surrounding all the year could bring. However, for many families, it also brings significant extra expenses and stress. Students need countless items for each class and buying all of those at once can often be a burden on many families. 

Related: Save your receipts: Back-to-school shopping time can also be tax savings time for Minnesota families

In an effort to help everyone get the items and supplies that they need, the Cook County community is coming together to serve that common goal. This year, The Hub is collaborating with Bethlehem Lutheran Church to run a school supply drive to provide basic supplies for kids in Cook County.

Chris Bautch, Programs and Activity Director at The Hub spoke with Boreal Community Media about how The Hub was approached in the past by a member of the community with the idea to run the drive. Being that it is in an ideal location, and it is for a good cause, they decided to take it on. Bautch described how it is anticipated that the drive will have great success and credited the community for being “very generous and supportive” in the past. 

School supplies are expensive and for many people, that isn’t an expense that their budget has room for. “Many families are struggling and are unable to provide the basic school supplies their children need. A school supply drive can help to relieve many families of that financial stressor,” said Bautch. 

The drive will run from August 1st through September 1st and will benefit students in all Cook County schools. The collection site for donations is at The Hub/Grand Marais Senior Center at 10 N Broadway Ave. Community members can purchase supplies and drop them off or make a financial donation so that supplies can be purchased on their behalf. 

One great thing about small towns is the tight-knit community it creates. A culture where new ideas are supported and where people come together around a common goal. Right now, that goal is making sure every child gets equal access to supplies that aid them on their educational journey to learn and succeed, and to reach their full learning potential this school year. 

For questions call: 218-387-2660 or [email protected].