Jay and Vickie Tamborino load up a truck full of backpacks an other school supplies as part of the United Way’s back to school program.

NEW ULM — School bells may be a month away, but United Way of Brown County is already getting back pack and school supplies ready.

United Way is working in partnership with Citizens Bank and the Koozie Group to help families fill their kids’ backpacks for school.

Information has already been sent out to over 500 families throughout Brown County whose families qualified for educational benefits in the 2023-24 school year. This program has been highly successful in the Brown County communities. In the previous year, United Way collected 5,600 pencils, 760 spiral notebooks, 770 dry-erase markers, 500 boxes of Kleenex, 300 highlighters and more. Last summer, over 475 backpacks were distributed across Brown County.

Monetary gifts can be given to the United Way Backpack Project by visiting the United Way website at www.unitedwaybrowncountyare.org or by mail at PO Box 476, New Ulm, MN 56073.

The United Way is actively recruiting volunteers to assist with the program by collecting supplies, completing inventory, and packing backpacks. United Way is looking for at least 50 individuals who can give their time to bring this program to fruition. Contact the United Way office or visit our website for more information.

Distribution of the backpacks is Thursday, Aug. 1