‘Need is high’ for school supplies and backpacks

NEW ULM -- Kids aren't thinking about school but the United Way of the Brown County Area is thinking about school supplies. The annual Backpack Project is underway and according to Executive Director, Sandra Juni "the need is high" for the backpacks and school supplies. 

The project partners with area schools to send out letters to families that utilize the free lunches at school. These letters alert families to the opportunity to receive a backpack as part of their plans to get back-to-school. 

According to Backpack USA, a student arriving at school with the necessary supplies will be more confident, independent and able to focus on learning instead of wondering how to keep up with others. 

Needed supplies are collected in the approximately 45 collection boxes strategically placed in businesses and houses of worship throughout the county. The supplies will be gathered up and any remaining needs will be purchased by the United Way. 

Last year, over 350 backpacks were distributed throughout the county and over 800 letters have gone out for the 2023-24 project. 

"Already, 200 requests have been received for the fall and we anticipate final numbers being over 350 this year, " stated Juni. "The extra back packs mean more supplies are needed to fill those bags and we depend on donations for that reason."

Community members looking to donate supplies can find the locations of collection boxes and the desired supplies on the organization's website at www.unitedwaybrowncountyarea.org/United-way-backpack-project. Qualifying families looking to receive a backpack can contact the United Way at (507)354-6512.

Final call for donations is happening now and the collection boxes will be gone from collection sites starting July  29. Financial donations are also encouraged for this project and those can be mailed to the United Way at PO Box 476, New Ulm, Mn 56073.