Serenity House is accepting donations in thrift shops in Port Angeles and Sequim to provide about 50 children of clients with school supplies.
Some of the children also will be given a complete school outfit, said Gwen McNeir, children’s case manager.
“It’s essential for our kids to be prepared to go back to school, but families recovering from homelessness are hard-pressed to provide all the necessities,” McNeir said.
Using teachers’ school supply lists, Serenity House volunteers and staff stuff the backpacks with what each child needs to have a successful start to the school year.
“Every school and every grade level has different requirements,” McNeir said, but among the needs are 1-inch binders, composition books, No. 2 pencils, blue or black ink pens, facial tissue, glue sticks, pink erasers and crayons.
Members of the Church of Christ are sponsoring 25 of the children to ensure they receive clothing.
About 12 more children lack sponsors, McNeir said.
To help, individuals, churches and organizations may sponsor a child or donate cash or supplies.
The back-to-school project started about seven years ago, when a first-grader in a tattered dress met her teacher, Gloria Bond, at Hamilton Elementary in Port Angeles.
Bond made her friends at the Port Angeles Church of Christ aware of the child’s circumstances, and they responded by outfitting the child and her siblings.
The following year, they connected with Kim Leach, then a new Serenity House of Clallam County case worker.
In 2008, the project served about 70 students ranging from preschool to high school.
Children will receive their school supplies by the first week of September, McNeir said.
Donation bins are available at both the Port Angeles and Sequim Serenity House resale stores.
The Port Angeles Serenity House Thrift Store at 502 E. First St. is open weekdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Serenity Shop at 215 N. Sequim Ave. in Sequim is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Aug. 16, both stores will observe Back-to-School Sunday by donating a portion of that day’s sales to this project.
Those interested in donating, volunteering or sponsoring students can phone McNeir or volunteer coordinator Caroline Caldwell at the Serenity House administrative office, 360-452-7224.
Cash donations also may be brought to the office at 2203 W. 18th St. or mailed to P.O. Box 4047, Port Angeles 98363.
