Free school supplies available for needy students in Sauk Valley

STERLING – Local students do not return to classrooms for another 3 weeks, but the School Supply Closet will be open beginning Tuesday.

The program at Trinity United Methodist Church, 910 Second Ave., provides free school supplies for students in preschool through college.

"There is a need in the area," organizer Bonnie Donnell said. "We believe that if the kids have what they need when they go to school, they will be better prepared, more excited, and they will have a better education just because they are prepared."

Last year, the School Supply Closet provided supplies to more than 1,500 students.

The church will not question a student’s eligibility.

"We are open year-round, but the busy hours are during the month of August," Donnell said. "The first month we are open, people line up out the building and down the street. People have told me they have waited in line for 2 hours."

Available supplies include binders, paper, folders, book bags, markers and crayons.

Organizers are asking families to bring a copy of their child's school requirements.

Parking will be in the Trinity United Methodist Church lot.

Supplying the supplies

Other places in the Sauk Valley where students can get free school supplies include:

• The Cellular Connection, the largest Verizon Premium Wireless retailer, will be giving away backpacks with school supplies from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 1.

The backpacks, which will include school supplies, will be given away at the Verizon store in Rock Falls, 107 First Ave., next to Anytime Fitness.

There are no eligibility requirements, and students must be present to receive backpacks.

For more information, call 815-625-2096.

• The Tools for School program in Dixon plans to provide every student from kindergarten through high school who qualifies for the free or reduced lunch program with a backpack and school supplies.

Tools for Schools is funded by local donations from business owners, civic and faith-based organizations and community members.

Last year, the program provided backpacks and school supplies for 850 students. This year, 1,385 students are eligible for free and reduced lunches.

Monetary donations can be made payable to "Tools for School" and mailed to the Dixon Public School District Office, Attn: Roxanne Mahan, Tools for School, 1335 Franklin Grove Road, Dixon, IL 61021

For more information, call Mahan at the Dixon School District office at 815-284-7722 or contact Pam Short Tourtillott by e-mail at ptourtillott@comcast.net.

ABOUT SCHOOL SUPPLY CLOSET

School supplies will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday until Aug. 15 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sterling. After Aug. 15, the church will give away supplies from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

To donate supplies, call Bonnie Donnell at 815-441-1988, or Cheryle Colmark at 815-441-8652 to set up a time for delivery.