Project gives students a helping hand

Pat Sitzman, left, and Carmen Goodwin spent more than three hours shopping for school supplies Monday morning. The five grocery carts of supplies will be given away this afternoon at the Salvation Army Backpack Give-Away at McCook Christian Church from 3 to 5:30 p.m. (Shary Skiles/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A local group is using local funding to provide benefits to local and area students.

The Salvation Army Backpack Give-Away was set for 3 to 5:30 p.m. today at the McCook Christian Church, 507 West B Street.

Funding for the 150 backpacks that will be given away comes from Salvation Army kettle ringing and a grant from the McCook Community Foundation Fund. Several local churches and individuals have also provided supplies and money to fill the backpacks.

Each backpack contains about $50 worth of school supplies customized to the child's grade level using the lists provided by the teachers. Pencils, erasers, tablets, paper, glue sticks, hand sanitizer, folders, rulers, and even deodorant are some examples of supplies provided. There is a limit of two backpacks per family.

Pat Sitzman and Carmen Goodwin purchased most of the supplies Monday morning on a three-hour shopping excursion that filled five grocery carts. A group of about 15 volunteers will work from 1 to 3 this afternoon to sort and put the supplies together.

"When you see the looks on their faces -- that's why we do it," said Goodwin. "Some of those kids come in and they are so appreciative and excited. They immediately sit down and go through their backpacks right there on the spot."

The funding from the McCook Community Foundation Fund has helped the giveaway to grow from the small number of backpacks filled 12 years ago, to the 150 available this year. The McCook Community Foundation Fund exists to inspire investment in the quality of life for the people of southwest Nebraska. More information about MCFF is available by calling (308) 344-9363.