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'Stuff the Bus' results announced; 'Knock the Socks Off Poverty' campaign helps students
Backpacks filled with school supplies and a $10 voucher to purchase socks and underwear were distributed to 388 local students this fall through the "Stuff the Bus" program, said Verna Haberman, outreach coordinator for Grand Island Public Schools.
Three hundred of the 388 vouchers have been redeemed at Skagway for $2,870 to purchase socks and underwear for students, she said.
Tom Dinsdale and Grand Island residents raised $10,400 last spring during the "Knock the Socks Off Poverty" campaign to provide funding for the vouchers for children's socks and underwear. Grand Island residents donated $5,200 to the campaign, and Dinsdale matched that amount for a $5,200 donation through the Grand Island Community Foundation. Local residents also donated new socks and underwear for students.
The students need the school supplies and personal items but may not be able to afford buying them, Haberman said.
Each year, hundreds of backpacks containing school supplies are distributed to students, Haberman said. During the 2009-10 school year, 300 backpacks were given to students in August 2009, and another 100 backpacks were distributed to students during the remainder of the school year. Participating agencies are the Salvation Army, Hope Harbor, Crisis Center, Head Start, Grand Island Public Schools' Outreach Center, area churches, and Central Nebraska Community Services. Qualifying families must have a referral form from one of the participating agencies.
For more information, contact: Verna Haberman, Outreach Coordinator, Grand Island Public Schools, 1306 W. Third St., (308) 385-5244, (308) 390-4940 (cell phone), vhaberma@gips.org
It is the policy of the Grand Island Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, religion, or marital status in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title VI, Title IX, &Section 504.EOE/AA.