GREAT FALLS — In preparation for the new school year and their annual Back To School Rally, the Great Falls Rescue Mission is collecting all types of school supplies for children in need.
Executive Director of the Great Falls Rescue Mission, Jim McCormick, said they’ve accepted donations since June and would like to hit their goal of distributing 750 backpacks - packed full of supplies.
These backpacks will be given to school-age kids of all grades during the Back to School Rally on August 23rd.
“We make ‘em age specific, gender specific backpacks so that Billy gets the one that he wants and Suzy gets the one that she wants,” McCormick said.
McCormick added that in addition to general supplies like backpacks, dry erase markers and gift cards are also in high-demand.
“The week that we’re putting backpacks together - if we don’t have enough of the dry erase markers, and we have gift cards, then we can go purchase them,” McCormick said.
He asks that donors turn in supplies a week before the rally, so staff have sufficient time to prepare the backpacks.
The following food items are needed: brown paper sacks, sandwich ziploc bags, napkins, individual bags of chips, granola bars, bottled water, cookies, bread, sandwich meats, cheese slices, and fruit (apples, oranges, bananas).
Food donations can be dropped off at the east entrance of 408 2nd Avenue South between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from August 17 - 21.
Supplies can be turned in to the GFRM Administration Office at 408 2nd Avenue Sout between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, by August 14.
Families in need of backpacks can register between July 29th and August 12th, by calling Opportunities Inc. at 406-216-3200.
If you’d like to volunteer to stuff backpacks, you can contact the Great Falls Rescue Mission at (406) 761-2653.
The Back to School Rally will also take on a different format this year, due to strict social distancing guidelines. Attendees will be split into two groups to minimize contact and given a sack lunch that they can eat off campus instead of dining in a communal setting.
If you would like more information call 406-761-2653, or visit the website: http://gfrm.org/
