The United Way of Cass Clay is getting ready for their 11th Annual School Supply Drive this week beginning Monday, July 27th.  The School Supply Drive (SSD) is an annual event that creates lasting change in our community by providing a new backpack and complete set of school supplies to children in Cass and Clay counties.  Last year 3,700 children were provided with supplies.  Businesses, organizations, and individuals donated over $100,000 worth of supplies to help kids in our community be confident, prepared and excited on their first day of school. Preparing children for success in school creates lasting change in our community because we are investing in our children and creating a better future for Cass and Clay Counties.

The goal for this years drive is to meet the needs of over 4,000 students ages K-12.  With rising gas and grocery prices they anticipate the need for school supplies to be greater than at any other time in the past.

The following are a list of supplies that are needed:

• New Backpacks *
• Notebooks *
• Pencil boxes/pouches *
• Markers & Highlighters *
• Scissors *
• Loose leaf paper
• Erasers & Folders
• Pens & Colored pencils
• 1″ 3-Ring binders

* Denotes supplies MOST needed

Donation drop off sites will be open Thursday, July 9^th through Friday, August 7^th.

Please note the following drop off sites:

FargoDome, Moorhead K-Mart, Moorhead Center Mall, Wal-Mart in Fargo and Dilworth, United Way of Cass Clay, all Take 2 Video locations, and West Acres.

Monetary donations can be mailed to United Way of Cass Clay, P.O. Box 1609

Fargo, ND 58107.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

You can sign up for two hour shifts to help fill the backpacks.  A maximum of 15 volunteers are needed per shift.  The following days and times are available:

July 27^th through August 13^th (Monday – Friday)

9-11, 11-1, 2-4 @ the FargoDome, upstairs in Room 201/202.  Parking is free.

Volunteers are needed to help distribute backpacks to families.  Because of the sensitivity to families in need we do not allow children to help distribute supplies.

Saturday, August 8^th from 7-11 am at the FargoDome

AND

Thursday, August 13^th from 4-8 pm at the West Fargo High School and Moorhead Center Mall.

To volunteer please contact Angie Sherman @ asherman@uwcc.net or Deb Clemenson @ dclemenson@uwcc.net or call 701-237-5050.

Through the United Way of Cass-Clay Counties students in need can receive a backpack and full set of age appropriate school supplies.

To receive school supplies:

1. Complete the registration form
2. Bring form to one of the following distribution events:

Distribution Event #1

Saturday, August 8^th from 7-11 am at the FargoDome (1800 N. University Drive, Fargo)

Distribution Event #2

Thursday, August 13^th from 4-8 pm at the Moorhead Center Mall (510 Center Ave., Mhd)

OR the West Fargo Veterans Memorial Arena/High School (801 9^th St. East, West Fargo)

Supplies are available for students residing in and attending K-12 schools in Cass or Clay counties.  The supplies are NOT available for Head Start, Pre-School, or college students.  Registration forms will also be available at the FargoDome that morning.

If you have any questions regarding the school supply drive please call 701-237-5050 or e-mail Thomas Hill at thill@uwcc.net.

For additional information regarding the Fargo Moorhead area, click here.