Cathie Rowand | The Journal Gazette
The Salvation Army has already started its Tools for School campaign in Allen County. The drive gives children school supplies their families might not be able to afford.
Wish List
•Backpacks
•Colored pencils
•Rulers
•Tissues
•Folders: Pocket and three-prong
•Scissors
•Highlighters
•Washable markers: Thin and fat
•24-count or larger boxes of crayons
•Notebooks
•Filler paper
•Pencils and pens
•Glue bottles and sticks
•Binders
•Pencils and pens
•Dry-erase markers
•Composition books
To donate
The Indiana State Headquarters of The Salvation Army in Indianapolis distributes Tools for School packets through its local corps in counties throughout the state including Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Wabash and Wells counties. Donations can be designated for school supplies within a preferred county. More information can be found online by clicking on the “Donate” tab at
www. salvationarmyindiana.org.
Allen County
Collection barrels are in place at nearly 30 public and private businesses, including several Dollar Tree, Office Depot and Wal-Mart locations, for the public to drop off supplies. Visit www.safortwayne.org for a complete list.
The Salvation Army is also accepting monetary donations.
Adams County
Either donate online or mail checks payable to The Salvation Army of Adams County, attention Dan York, P.O. Box 522, Decatur, IN 46733 by July 15.
DeKalb and Noble counties
Mail checks payable to Retired Senior Volunteer Program, with “backpacks” noted in memo section, to 113 W. 5th St., Auburn, IN 46706. They also accept donations of school supplies; call 925-0917 for more information.
Steuben County
Mail checks payable to Project HELP of Steuben County, with “backpacks” noted in the memo section, to 711 E. Harcourt Road, Angola, IN 46703 by July 31. Checks and donations of school supplies can be dropped off at the Project HELP office 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Whitley County
Mail checks payable to The Salvation Army of Whitley County, with “school supplies” noted in the memo section, to P.O. Box 881, Columbia City, IN 46725. Checks or donations of school supplies can also be brought to The Salvation Army office, inside Eagle Quest Church, 1120 N. Indiana 109, Columbia City, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Businesses who wish to donate may request a pickup by calling 248-1711.
Even though school just let out, The Salvation Army is gearing up to send area children back prepared in the fall.
The organization kicked off its Tools for School program Thursday at Office Depot at Northcrest Shopping Center.
Officials are soliciting school supplies, book bags and new gym shoes at a number of locations to donate to needy children.
“The Salvation Army strives to alleviate the financial burden of families,” spokesman Timothy Smith said.
Other groups throughout northeast Indiana are also seeking donations to help needy students whose families’ finances have been taxed by the difficult economy.
Groups that serve Adams, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben and Whitley counties all said they expect increased requests from parents for school supplies this year, and some fear donations might fall short of covering that increased need.
Dan York, executive director of The Salvation Army of Adams County, said he hopes to help 240 students, up from 120 last year, but he admitted he expects not to meet that new goal because of decreased donations.
Pat Mossburg, community ministries specialist for The Salvation Army of Whitley County, said parents who are already struggling to pay for necessities such as food, utilities and housing might not have the cash to pay for the extensive school supplies their children require.
“I’m just hoping people will take the time to help some kids,” Mossburg said.
Last year, 1,076 children received school supplies through the drive, Smith said.
Families looking to apply to receive school supplies can submit applications from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. July 7 and 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 7 p.m. July 8.
They will need to provide photo identification, proof of income and expenses, and a Social Security card and birth certificate for all of their school-age children.
Mobile Dentists will provide free routine checkups for children on distribution days.
ksoderlund@jg.net
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