Want to lend a hand to students in need this school year? Throughout the Oklahoma City metro, families are gearing up to get kids back to school, but for some families, the costs of supplies and new clothes can be a challenge.
A simple donation of paper and notebooks, new coats and even backpacks can go a long way in helping all students be successful in school. Organizations throughout OKC are asking for help to provide for the city's smallest residents.
Numerous churches and businesses in Oklahoma County also spring on board to help needy families with school items, so there are plenty of ways to support the education of youth in the city. In addition, almost every school holds its own collections for school supplies.
For working families struggling to pay bills and put food on the table, the list of supplies for their child's school year can be daunting. If you'd like to help children in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, check out these worthy organizations.
DONORSCHOOSE.ORG
DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that allows you to support public school teachers. Public school teachers list their classroom project requests, and you can give any amount to the project. You can search by location or project area of interest from art or math to field trips or specialized classroom equipment. DonorsChoose.org
SUNBEAM FAMILY SERVICES
Sunbeam Family Services Grandparents Raising Grandchildren School Supply program serves approximately 500 children every year with back-to-school backpacks full of pencils, pens, notebook paper, folders and much more. The GRG program provides support, education and resources for grandparents ages 55-plus who are raising grandchildren without parents in the home in Canadian, Cleveland, Oklahoma and Logan counties. SunbeamFamilyServices.org
CITIZENS CARING FOR CHILDREN
Citizens Caring for Children Resource Center at 730 W. Wilshire Creek Blvd. Suite 112 usually holds an annual event to provide foster children clothes and supplies needed for school. Each kid gets a personal shopping experience. CitizensCaringForChildren.org
REGIONAL FOOD BANK
The Regional Food Bank delivers pre-assembled food sacks and backpacks to participating schools at no cost to the school or the child. The food bags contain approximately 10 different purchased foods designed to provide nutrition and calories for chronically hungry children over the weekend. RegionalFoodBank.org
THE SALVATION ARMY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma will team up with Walmart this year to collect needed school supplies for families in need. In the past, TSA provided clothing as well for children needing new clothes or school uniforms. SalvationArmyOKC.org
THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER OKC
The Urban League hosts a summer Back to School Bash that includes the Back to School Bash Community Resource Tent. These resources connect people to community resources that make the upcoming school year easier for parents and students alike. Booths are available to event sponsors, nonprofits and community-related organizations. UrbanLeagueOK.org
FEED THE CHILDREN
Feed the Children offers free school supplies in Oklahoma County but also operates a tech store for teachers. The tech store allows teachers to get the necessary technology for their classrooms at low or no cost. FeedTheChildren.org
OKLAHOMA CITY ASSISTANCE LEAGUE
The back-to-school supply assistance program is known as Operation School Bell and offers books, supplies, backpacks and more. This Assistance League also supports the low-income and single mothers in Oklahoma County too. AssistanceLeague.org/oklahoma-city.