Wide-eyed youngsters waited patiently in a very long line at the FairOaks Mall for the quintessential back-to-school moment — picking out a backpack.
These backpacks were brimming with needed supplies, just in time for students’ return to classes Wednesday for the fall semester.
Nearly 2,000 Bartholomew County students were signed up to receive a free backpack and school supplies Tuesday and today from the Bartholomew County School Supply Assistance Program. Their families had registered ahead of time with United Way of Bartholomew County’s 211 service.
It’s a massive organizational effort that takes an entire year to plan and execute, organizers say, all of it funded through grants, donations and the community’s generosity.
It culminates in just a few minutes of interaction on distribution day, when the students arrive at tables of backpacks inside FairOaks Mall and make their choice.
The youngsters and their families qualify for assistance based on economic circumstances, medical or other hardship and are screened for eligibility by the United Way 211 staff. There are no specific income requirements for the program, but screening is done to make sure that each family receiving help truly needs it.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
