COLUMBUS, Ind. — Local organizations and community volunteers worked together to help families cross items off their back-to-school shopping lists.
The Bartholomew County School Supply Assistance Program (BCSSAP) had its annual distribution event Wednesday afternoon, with families driving through the Columbus Fireman’s Cheer Fund warehouse to receive backpacks filled with school supplies.
The program provides free, basic supplies for K-12 students attending school in Bartholomew County. The program has flexible income guidelines and is “designed for households experiencing financial need.”
As of Tuesday night, 1,948 students had registered for assistance, said United Way Volunteer Action Center Director Alicia Monroe. The program served 1,991 students in 2022.
The distribution started at 1 p.m., and organizers were reporting a steady turnout as of 2 p.m.
“People started lining up at 11,” said Monroe.
She added that were a couple of issues with the car line, such as a car overheating and an instance where they had to stop traffic to let a semi get through.
“We’re just super grateful again to the Cheer Fund for allowing us to use their facility, because the drive-thru is very user-friendly to our families,” Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center community outreach coordinator Diane Doup. “And they have said how much they appreciate that.”
She also expressed gratitude to the donors, volunteers, committee members and other community members that have made this year’s distribution possible.
For more on this story and more photos, see Friday’s Republic.
