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“The economy is affecting not only those who receive but those who give as well,” said Lindsey Schwarz-Nichols, La Crosse County community liaison coordinator.
About 700 elementary, middle and high school students registered for the La Crosse County-run program that collects school supplies such as notebooks, markers, pens and pencils. That’s about 200 more than last year, Schwarz-Nichols said.
La Crosse County back-to-school collection sites at area Kwik Trip, Wal-Mart and Office Depot stores were emptied Friday and yielded good results, Schwarz-Nichols said.
But she said the program still needs backpacks; 1,200 folders; 200 packs of wide-ruled, loose-leaf paper; 250 packs of college-ruled, loose-leaf paper; 100 packs of markers; and 200 packs of colored pencils.
“We also have a waiting list of students who signed up late,” she said. “Anything we receive will be used this year.”
Any leftover items will be available to schools for children that teachers deem in need.
Supplies can be donated at the La Crosse County Health Department. Cash donations are accepted as well.
About 145 families signed up for the Salvation Army’s back-to-school program, which was revamped this year to resemble its holiday adopt-a-family program, said Cinda Todd, director of social services.
“I think, for the first time, that is probably more than we had expected,” Todd said. “The turnout is very gratifying.”
Getting stocked for school can be overwhelming for a family with one child, Todd said, and the stress mounts with multiple students in the house.
“Each case is individual,” she said. “The tie would be the cost of living seems to have gone up and the cost of getting kids ready for school has, also.”
The Salvation Army still has children to adopt and also needs new clothing and shoes to give to those who have registered. Cash donations are appreciated as well. Anything left over will help with the agency’s year-round programs.
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
