Deadline to register for the program is today
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
When Wendy’s 7-year-old daughter gets her new backpack and school supplies every summer, she is super excited.
“She get’s so excited,” her mother said. “Her eyes light up.”
Wendy is brought to tears. She tears up because she is humbled by the gift.
Wendy’s daughter is one of about 650 children who annually receive new backpacks and school supplies from the Backpack for Kids program, which is sponsored by First Call for Help.
The deadline to register for the program is Monday.
Students entering grades pre-K through high school, who reside and attend school in Ellis County, are eligible to receive a free backpack filled with school supplies and a hygiene bag through the program.
Register for a backpack online at http://firstcallelliscounty.com/Backpacks-for-Kids or call 785-623-2800 to reserve one over the phone.
The backpack distribution day is Thursday, Aug. 1, at the National Guard Armory, 200 Main St., Hays. Pick up your backpack between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Wendy, a single mom, has been out of work because of medical issues. Child support from her daughter’s father is sporadic.
This will be the fourth year she has used the Backpack for Kids program.
Wendy regularly delays or forgoes things for herself, like a haircut or clothes, to provide for her daughter.
When back to school rolls around, Wendy has to make choices. Does she buy school supplies? Buy her daughter shoes to replace the ones she has outgrown? Does she pay other bills?
“It is very humbling to go and ask for help,” she said. “I am humbled when she goes to get her backpack with the other kids. The community helps a lot. I usually get teary eyed. I am thankful to see that they are willing to help, so [my daughter] can go to school with a backpack instead of a pillowcase.
“I am so grateful. It takes a little worry off my shoulders, especially when I see her face and she is so excited.”
Wendy’s daughter, who is a student at Roosevelt Elementary School, has special needs. Not only has First Call helped the family, but so has the school. A program sends food home for her daughter on the weekends.
She also had help with some new clothes for her daughter.
“She went through a growth spurt,” Wendy said. “I kept thinking, ‘We can hold out.’ I got super teary when that happened.”
Wendy said her daughter loves going to school, and a new backpack and supplies is a great start to her school year.
“She is not a stranger to anyone,” Wendy said. “She is very loving and very active. She is very high energy. She is on a first-name basis with her principal. She has been so good with her. She moves at her own pace.”
Wendy said she thinks her daughter is learning important lessons through Backpacks for Kids.
“[She] knows it is not just mom and me,” Wendy said. “Everybody is in this together. We give back and volunteer when we can. I say a lot of prayers. I want to make sure I can give [my daughter] what I don’t have. I am grateful for the help. It think that program is awesome.”
Contact Project Coordinator Laura Shoaff at First Call For Help if you have questions or are interested in volunteering to fill backpacks or assist on distribution day.
The Backpack for Kids program takes donations year round.
Right now the program is low on the following items:
- Colored pencils
- Elmer’s school glue
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Plastic pencil boxes
- Wide-ruled, one-subject spiral notebooks
For a full list of donation items, go to the First Call website: http://firstcallelliscounty.com/Backpacks-for-Kids