It’s not just pencils and paper anymore. Do you feel dread every year when you receive your child’s school supply list? School supplies have become a financial hardship for many families. Heartland Independent Living Center has a plan to help.
Each
fall, Heartland has seen an increasing number of families struggle to prepare
their children for the return to school. With no formal back to school fair in
Maries County since Missouri Ozark Community Action’s loss of funding for the
event, area families have relied on the assistance of local churches to ease
their school supply burdens. Assisting these families has been quite a
responsibility. More than half of the
1,451 children enrolled in Maries County schools receive free or reduced-cost
lunch, due to low household incomes. For parents of multiple school age children,
the financial strain is greater.
“As
a mother of three, living in Maries County, I personally can see the financial
impact that back to school time puts on families,” said Maggie Brooks. “Without some assistance with school supplies,
families are forced to send their children to school with little or no supplies.
Last year, my children came home and asked if we might be able to help some of
the kids in their classes. Our family decided to buy extra supplies for a child
whose family was unable to cover the expense. I am excited to help the families
in need through Heartland’s Back to School Fair.”
Heartland
recognizes that education directly impacts the prosperity of our communities.
Their staff has decided to take action, ensuring that these children have the
opportunity to succeed. Heartland is hosting two back to school fairs for the
students in the Maries County R-1 and R-2 school districts. The event will be
providing school supplies, services, and information to each family attending.
Heartland
is respectfully requesting the participation of local community members.
Sponsors, donors, and vendors are needed. They have begun approaching local
businesses, churches, civic organizations, and human service agencies, asking
them to partner in helping make the back to school fairs a success. If you
would like more information or can help in any way, please contact Tiffany
Reid, at treid@heartlandilc.org.
Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based
organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain
independent in their own homes. Services
include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition
assistance from institution to home, and dental services. Heartland meets accountability standards and
holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional
information on their services, contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit
their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.