August is back-to-school time, and our staff and programs are busy getting kids at the shelter ready for the new school year. And volunteers like Kimberly Jones play a vital role in that process.
Kimberly first got involved with the Interfaith Family Shelter about 18 years ago, when her mom Jackie Rasco (our Shelter Case Manager) started working at the shelter. “We have been consistent volunteers ever since, including decorating cookies for holidays, preparing and serving Thanksgiving dinner, assisting my niece in hosting a baby shower for new moms, and donating various needed items over the years,” shares Kim.
But about seven years ago, Kim became aware of a distinct need for kids at the shelter around this time of year. “In 2017, I received a letter from Interfaith requesting backpacks and school supplies for children currently living in the shelter,” she says. “So my oldest daughter and I bought a backpack filled with supplies. But when we dropped it off, we noticed that the backpacks donated by government organizations were quite basic—thin, small, and lacking quality supplies like Crayola crayons and markers.”
Kimberly Jones has been organizing backpacks and school supplies for families at our shelters since 2017.
We decided to donate both backpacks and school supplies ourselves. For the first two years, my daughter and I personally funded all the donations.
And that was the beginning of what has now become an August tradition in the Jones household!
“Starting that year, we decided to donate both backpacks and school supplies ourselves,” shares Kim. “For the first two years, my daughter and I personally funded all the donations. By Year 3, we wanted to expand our efforts and reached out to the community for help. Thanks to donations from family, various community members, friends, nonprofits like Hub-n-Spoke, coworkers, and families at Zion Lutheran School, we have been able to provide high-quality supplies, name-brand backpacks, graphing calculators, and Crayola crayons and markers.”
The back-to-school Backpack Drive is now a family tradition in the Jones household!
The Back-to-School Backpack Drive has become a true labor of love for Kim and her family. “Our primary goal is to give these children the tools that they need for success, and to get them excited about using their new supplies in the classroom.”
More importantly, Kim know that this effort helps alleviate the burden on families at our shelter, and helps them not worry about having to purchase school supplies. “We are so thankful we are able to do this, and have the support of our amazing community!”