As we end another school year, it is actually time to get ready for the next school year. It’s Back to School Angels time!
Many in this area helped last year or even during our Holiday Angels project. In the summer, Macon Program for Progress (MPP) does a similar program to help support families that have a child that is transitioning into kindergarten. MPP first offers backpacks and supplies to the children that are exiting our program (and their siblings up to 12th grade) at MPP Head Start; then, if we still have funds, we reach out to Macon County Schools to either give them supplies or to supply them with already filled backpacks for children who need some support.
Last year, MPP was able to provide 137 backpacks to elementary schools, 16 to Mountain View Intermediate, one to Bartram Academy, eight to Macon Middle School, and 27 to Franklin High School/Macon Early College.
We collect supplies, monetary donations, or already filled backpacks. The supply list includes: a regular sized backpack, a pencil box/pouch, #2 pencils, pink erasers, safety scissors, 24-count Crayola crayons, Crayola colored pencils, glue sticks, one subject spiral notebooks (wide college ruled), Crayola markers, plastic pocket folders, 1 and 2 inch three ring binders (clear protection slip on the front), (lined) index cards, tissues, composition notebooks (wide college ruled), loose-leaf wide college ruled paper, divider pack with tabs, highlighters, pens and graph paper.
Supplies can be dropped off at 215 East Orchard View Lane, Franklin. Or, simply email me or call to let me know when you plan to drop items off to make sure staff is available.
If you want to send monetary donations, mail to P.O. Box 700, Franklin, N.C. 28744; or come by in person to the main office, located at 82 East Orchard View Lane.
Additionally, in August, MPP Head Start will transition 68 children into kindergarten classrooms throughout the county. Of these 68 children, 35 families have applied for the Back-to School Angels program. If funds allow, the 35 siblings of these children, and other families in Macon County based on the recommendation of Macon County Schools will also be served.
If you are an individual, a business, or a community group looking for a summer project, you can make a tax-deductible donation for us to purchase supplies on your behalf, set up a Back-to-School Angels’ campaign at your establishment to collect school supplies, or donate a pre-filled backpack.
MPP will be taking donations through July 21. However, donations will be accepted past the deadline no matter what time of the year it is. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call (828)524-4471 Ext. 406