OSKALOOSA —
On Wednesday evening, volunteers helped fill backpacks with school supplies for area school children in need at Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. The supplies were gathered through the United Way of Mahaska County’s Stuff the Bus program. The backpacks themselves were gathered as part of United Way’s annual Operation Backpack.
Russ Reiter, superintendent of the Oskaloosa Community School District, said the supplies include all of the things students will need to succeed such as pens and paper, among numerous other items. These items also include things for classrooms such as dry erase markers, he said.
Reiter said the need for these school supplies is clear. He said there are families in his district that have children who come to school everyday that need these school supplies because of tight household budgets.
Individuals throughout the area, as well as a number of businesses contributed to Stuff the Bus. Reiter couldn’t be happier at the level of participation in the program.
“I’m elated,” he said.
A couple of Oskaloosa School Board members were on hand at Wednesday’s distribution effort at the church. Reiter noted that he is pleased to see school board members active in the community who are open to input.
Reiter, noting the busy nature of this time of year just before school begins again, said Wednesday’s distribution effort signifies the start to a great school year.
Back in July of this year, the United Way of Mahaska County literally stuffed a school bus full of school supplies like notebooks and colored pencils. The bus was parked in a lot on South D Street to show the community what supplies had been gathered.
Although the July 13 deadline to apply to receive these supplies has past, those living anywhere in Mahaska County can contact United Way of Mahaska County at (641) 673-6043 for assistance. Households with students applying for the school supplies would have to meet guidelines related to their household income.
The items not used for Operation Backpack will go to Oskaloosa Community Schools’ supply closet, said Katie Schippers, community impact coordinator with United Way of Mahaska County.
Southeast Iowa
Related Photos
-
Oskaloosa School Board members Tom Richardson, left, Laurie Fiscella, center, and Charlie Comfort, right, fill backpacks with school supplies at Central United Methodist Church Wednesday evening. Herald photo by Andy Goodell
Helping supply area students
- Southeast Iowa
-
-
Okla. officials vow not to quit looking until everyone is found
The tornado that killed 24 people and injured at least 100 others in the Moore and Oklahoma City area cut a 17-mile-long path that started in Newcastle and ended at Lake Stanley Draper. Nine of the dead are children.
-
Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
-
Where to get the best deal on beer, haircuts, movies
Looking for a good deal on a six-pack of beer? Try Charlotte. A haircut that won't burn a hole in your wallet? Harlingen, Texas, is your best bet. A trip to the movies? Hilo, Hawaii, is supposed to be nice this time of year.
-
VIDEO: Tornado survivor's missing dog found during TV interview
Barbara Garcia was being interviewed by CBS News about how she survived the destruction of her home to Monday's massive tornado in Moore, when the dog she feared dead was suddenly discovered alive in the rubble of her home.
-
Okla. front pages capture tornado aftermath
View how several Oklahoma newspapers covered Monday's massive tornado in Moore. Please note that officials revised the death toll downward early Tuesday morning after some papers were printed, but it is expected to climb again as recovery efforts continue.
-
Corn planting soars on break in the weather
The percentage of corn planted in Iowa grew by more than 50 percentage points last week with what experts called the first really good week of weather for farmers.
-
VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
-
69-year-old leads deputies on high speed chase
A homeless man driving a stolen vehicle May 15 in Appanoose County at 2:30 a.m. in an attempt to elude law enforcement rammed the pursuing patrol car and is now facing five class D felony charges. Roy Steed Cope, 69, has been charged by the Appanoose
-
LIVE BLOG: Massive tornado hits south of OKC
A massive tornado touched down Monday afternoon in Moore, Okla., just south of Oklahoma City. Follow live coverage of the aftermath of the storm.
-
VIDEO: Tumblr sold to Yahoo! for $1.1 billion
Yahoo! has purchased Tumblr for $1.1 billion, hoping to compete more effectively with sites like Google and Facebook.
- More Southeast Iowa Headlines
-
