United Way kicks off annual school supply drive

United Way of Cass-Clay kicked off their annual supply drive last week at the Fargodome, announcing drop-off sites across the community for donations of backpacks and school supplies.

In the past 10 years, thousands of students have gone to school with the supplies they needed to succeed and United Way is again asking the community to donate supplies, volunteer their time or contribute monetarily to the School Supply Drive.

Supplies that are most needed include new backpacks, notebooks, pencil boxes/pouches, markers, highlighters, and scissors. The drive is also collecting loose leaf paper, erasers, pens, colored pencils, folders and 3-ring binders. Last year the School Supply Drive distributed over 3,700 backpacks to children and families. This year, United Way of Cass-Clay is preparing to meet the needs of over 4,000 children and families in the Cass & Clay communities.

Drop-off sites include: the Fargodome, Moorhead Center Mall, Moorhead Kmart, all Take 2 Video locations, United Way of Cass-Clay, Wal-Mart in Dilworth and Fargo, and West Acres. The sites will be open for donations through August 7. Monetary donations can be directed to United Way of Cass-Clay.

Volunteers are needed to help pack backpacks and organize supplies July 27 through August 13 at the Fargodome. Contact United Way of Cass-Clay if you would like to volunteer.

Backpacks and full sets of school supplies will be distributed to children and families on Saturday, August 8, from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Fargodome and on Thursday, August 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. at both the Moorhead Center Mall and the West Fargo Veterans Arena/West Fargo High School. Any child in Cass and Clay county ages K-12 is eligible to receive a backpack.

For more information please contact Kristina Hein, Communications Director, at 701-388-4660 (cell) or visit www.uwcc