Lee Erwin Reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com
Wednesday, July 09, 2014 8:01 PM
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – With the first day of Clarksville-Montgomery County schools coming up in less than a month parents and students are beginning their annual collection of school supplies. Students will go for a half-day on August 6 with the first full day on August 8.
Each year many families struggle to provide their children with the supplies they need to be successful in school. Backpack Buddies, is a program to help less fortunate children with what they need for school by accepting donations now through July 23.
The backpacks will be handed out Thursday, July 31 at the Well, a ministry that provides free clothing, household items, groceries and meals to families in need. Staff from Lyndon’s Salon & Spa will also be at the Well providing free haircuts for the children.
Some of the supplies Backpack Buddies is looking for are pencils, paper, scissors, folders, crayons, glue, binders and supply boxes. Backpacks can also be donated already filled with school supplies and donations are needed for students of all ages from kindergarten through high school.
Kelsey Nussbaumer, along with Leslie Bradley, are organizers of this year’s Backpack Buddies and Nussbaumer talked about the event. “I’ve helped my mom the past five years and I decided to try to grow the organization, so I took matters into my own hands,” said Nussbaumer.
Nussbaumer added that last year they gave out over 500 backpacks to students in the first hour and had to turn away many students. The goal this year is not to have to turn anyone away in need. Backpack Buddies is expecting over 700 students this year and they are in desperate need of help.
Schools supplies can be dropped off now through July 23 at Lyndon’s Salon & Spa, 1502 Madison Street, The Clothesline 1820 Madison Street and the Church of Christ at Trenton Crossing at 2650 Trenton Road.
To find out more about Backpack Buddies call Karen Nussbaumer at 931-206-0578 or visit the Backpack Buddies Facebook page.