More than 3,000 area children will benefit from donated school supplies if an annual fund-raising drive meets its goal this year.
United Way of Cass-Clay hopes to raise more than $72,000 in cash donations and supplies in its sixth annual Community School Supply Drive, announced Tuesday. That's up from last year's drive, which provided 2,472 children with more than $60,000 worth of school supplies.
The donated supplies are given to needy children in Cass and Clay counties who cannot afford them without the community's help.
Organizers are collecting new backpacks, binders, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, folders, loose-leaf paper, markers, notebooks, pencils, pencil boxes, pens, rulers and scissors.
Donations can be dropped off at Great Clips for Hair, Park Co. GMAC Real Estate, Ramsey National Bank & Trust Co., Wal-Marts, Wells Fargo Banks, West Acres mall and United Way of Cass-Clay.
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Cash donations also can be brought to United Way of Cass-Clay until Aug. 13.
Volunteers will distribute the supplies from 7 a.m. to noon Aug. 14 at Fargo's Jefferson Elementary School.
Organizers said the fund's goal is based on what the average family spends on school supplies and discounted rates organizers receive when purchasing supplies, said Sara Kearns, spokeswoman for the United Way of Cass-Clay.
She estimated the program spends about $24 on each child based on that formula, but said the typical family spends about $45 on school supplies per child.
The need for school supplies has forced many families to choose between paying bills and purchasing supplies, said Shari Veil, director of marketing for drive partner Park Co. GMAC Real Estate.
Organizers unveiled a model house built from school supplies Tuesday at Fargo's West Acres mall to raise awareness for the fund-raiser.
The house will be on display near the Sears wing of the mall until the drive ends Aug. 13. The supplies used to construct the house will also be donated. They're connected using hat pins to avoid being ruined.
For more information about the drive, call United Way of Cass-Clay at (701) 364-0031.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Brittany Lawonn at (701) 235-7311
