Minot Area Homeless Coalition fills backpacks for students

MINOT, N.D. ( KXNET ) — With the start of school coming up, hallways will soon be filling up with students finding their way to their new classes. One non-profit is helping them, before they even crack open a book.

During Souris Valley United Ways Day of Caring, people sign up volunteering their time and partnered with different agencies, looking for help.

KX News caught up with employees from Ryan Family dealership who joined with the Minot Area Homeless Coalition filling backpacks.

“We do this each year to help families that would otherwise have to make a decision on paying bills or helping their children get back to school with the supplies that they need,” said Karrie Christensen the Executive Director for Minot Area Homeless Coalition.

Pencils, crayons, pencil pouches, glue sticks, notebooks, binders, scientific calculators, and protractors are all carefully packed into backpacks. Volunteers packed around 60 backpacks.

“I didn’t have any idea how many kids that need assistance and that need these backpacks. I can’t believe the overwhelming support that has been given,” said Theresa Getzlaff a controller at Ryan Family Dealerships.

98% of the supplies are donations and the rest they buy themselves.
This drive not only helps students it helps teachers as well.

“When you are having students coming to school prepared and they have all the supplies that they need it relives the stress off of the teachers and the faculty because they don’t have to outsource or supply those out of their own pocket book,” said Christensen.

Their drive may be ending Friday but they will still be taking donations so they can continue their mission next week.

“When the kids come in with their parents to pick up their backpacks the smile and happiness in their faces it lights up the whole room. I mean it’s just great,” said Garrette Libke, a volunteer.

Next year, their goal is to provide kids gym shoes, along with all the other essentials.

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