Sunday, June 24, 2001
First Call for school supplies
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
Even though summer has just begun, one local organization is working to ensure that all children have what they need when school bells first ring.
First Call for Help, an agency of Tiffin-Seneca United Way, will be accepting applications July 9-20 for their school supply program.
Director Sue Hampshire said the application is easy. "Just come in. We do need to see proof of income,'' she explained. "Pay stubs or something documenting their income.''
Generally, if a family was eligible for free or reduced lunches during the past school year, they will be eligible for the program this school year. "Or if there has been a catastrophe in the family, such as high medical bills that alter their income, we take that into account,'' Hampshire said.
The agency takes money donated from individuals and businesses to purchase basic school supplies for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade in any Tiffin or Seneca County schools.
These include Tiffin City elementaries, Tiffin Middle School, Tiffin Junior High, St. Mary's and St. Joseph Elementary, Old Fort, Bettsville, Seneca East schools, New Riegel and Hopewell-Loudon.
"Last year we served well over 100 children from 41 families,'' Hampshire said.
Each school supplies the agency with their supply list needed by each child. "We purchase the basic items,'' Hampshire said.
"Every child is given all of the basic items needed to go back to school.''
After all applications are received, eligibility will be determined. "Probably between Aug. 8 to the 15, we will ask families to come in,'' Hampshire said. "Last year, we had all of the families' supplies packaged according to each child,'' she added.
The program, totally funded by donations, is now accepting cash donations, Hampshire said. "It's easier to work with cash. That enables us to look for sales,'' she said. "We spend about $1,000. This is my second year doing it and it is about $1,000. I would anticipate more need this year. All of the social service agencies are seeing more need for everything.''
First Call for Help relies on volunteers to shop and assemble the supplies for the school children. "We are blessed with great volunteers but we are always looking for more,'' Hampshire said.
Families wishing to apply for school supplies from the program can contact Hampshire at First Call for Help, 174 Jefferson St., at 448-4357.