Sault locals donate to support back-to-school supplies for students

SAULT STE. MARIE — Chippewa County students will be able to receive help with backpacks and other school supplies from local donations before the semester starts in September. 

Project Backpack has been an annual donation event hosted by the Salvation Army and the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula for years and has supplied hundreds of students with school supplies.

The giveaway starts at 2 p.m. and lasts until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the Pickford Township Hall. The second giveaway day is in Sault Ste. Marie from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12 at AJ Van Critters Athletic Field.

The giveaway event happens on these days but the extra supplies will still be handed out afterwards.

"The United Way holds on to the excess supplies, so during the school year, either a student or teacher can contact them and say, 'I need supplies,'" said Salvation Army Corps Administrator Eric Gilbert. "It goes more than just the one day distribution. As long as there's supplies there, they get to the schools."

Students who wish to participate in the giveaway will receive a free backpack filled with school supplies like pencil packs, rulers, multi-colored file folders and other supplies. The giveaway event also includes a free hot dog lunch for students. 

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Supplies are gathered from donations made to the Salvation Army and the United Way either directly or through their various community partners. People have and still can donate not just money but also supplies themselves if they are in good enough condition. 

The United Way and the Salvation Army teamed up with Smith & Co. Realty, the Bayliss Public Library and Central Savings Bank to fund and advertise for this event. People had the chance to donate for this program through any of these organizations.

"It's not about one organization, puffing up their chest," said Gilbert. "It's about different organizations coming together to help the community, and that's what our goal is."

In total, more than $10,000 was raised for this program and it will supply around 500 students between pre-school and middle school with the supplies they need.

After the giveaway events are over, the United Way will take the leftover supplies and continue to distribute them to local schools in Chippewa County throughout the year as supplies are needed. 

"Based on how the cost of living has increased so much in the last 12 months with food prices up and gas prices up, and even rent now is sky high," said Gilbert. "I think a lot of people's budgets are stretched and so those in the community who who can afford to donate either supplies or money to help families who need to give their kids the right tools so that they can go to school and learn is an awesome thing."

Donations for the program are still accepted online. 

Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com