Every year Volunteer & Partner Services runs a back-to-school backpack and school supply drive. In 2020, with the switch to virtual classes for school children, the needs for their school supplies also changed. As a result, we shifted to collecting gift cards that families could use to purchase their own supplies.
Given last year’s success, this year, we began a hybrid version of the Back-to-School Drive. Starting in July 2021, we connected with different donors in the community to not only collect backpacks filled with supplies, but also gift cards for older students and additional supplies. Thus far we have collected 660 backpacks filled with school supplies, thanks to Touching Heart and Camp Christmas in July. We also have received 115 gift cards and additional school supplies donated by Alice’s Kids, Tim Barber, Yeman Demissew, Rachel Gwilliam, Krishna Neelarambam, Kristin Tomgarn, Jackie Hess and more! See the details below.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, when supplies could no longer be shared, kids needed back-to-school essentials more than ever. The Touching Heart Kids on a Mission program worked to supply these much-needed items to students who may not be able to prepare for going back to class. The team leading this effort consisted of kids who all live in the same neighborhood and who have a passion to help others. 
Alice’s Kids’ story began in the early 1960’s when their mother, Alice, struggled to make ends meet for their family on their monthly welfare payment that barely covered the cost of rent and food. Living in a middle class neighborhood, they suffered the stigma of being labeled “those welfare kids.” Alice worked hard to pick up extra cash to supplement the welfare check, and the kids still remember the joy and pride they felt when Alice was able to take them shopping for new clothes.
