The start of a new school year means buying school supplies, but for families with low-income it can be a challenge to provide the essential tools for their children to succeed in school. United Way of Olmsted County manages the Running Start for School initiative, which coordinates the collect and distribution of donated school supplies to students in need.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Last year, 2,532 students received school supplies. This year there are 6,874 students eligible to receive school supplies. Eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Attend Kindergarten through 12th grade
- Live in Olmsted County
- Eligible for free/reduced lunch
Call (507) 287-1958 between June 1 and August 12 to register.
Registration is available in English, Somali and Spanish.
Longfellow Elementary School students must call between June 1 and July 15 to register.
COLLECTING SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Organizations, groups, or businesses are invited to either hold their own school supply collection drives and/or serve as a donation collection site for customers, clients and the general public to drop off school supplies. For information about how to hold a drive, be a drop site or to see what groups are already participating, go to: www.uwolmsted.org/runningstart. All collected school supplies must be dropped off at the United Way building (903 West Center Street) August 10-12. The school supplies are sorted and distributed to students on August 23 and 24.
DISTRIBUTING SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Students in grades K-5 receive a backpack (if needed) and students in grades 6-12 receive a backpack or a binder (if needed). Additionally students receive pencils, pens, markers, colored pencils, glue, pencil bag or box, highlighter, ruler, scissors, notebooks, folders, loose-leaf paper, and other items needed for individual grades. For a complete list of supplies we are collecting, go to: www.uwolmsted.org/runningstart.
VOLUNTEER: We need LOTS of help to sort and distribute school supplies August 8-24. Starting June 1 individuals may view volunteer opportunities under the Events section at: www.volunteersolutions.org/olmsted. Volunteers are also needed to help distribute school supplies to Longfellow Elementary School students on July 26.
CASH DONATIONS: Cash or check donations are accepted at United Way of Olmsted County (903 West Center Street, Suite 100 • Rochester MN 55902) and should be designated to Running Start for School. Donations are used to support the Running Start for School initiative.
SPONSORS: Running Start for School is a community initiative coordinated by United Way of Olmsted County in partnership with Rochester Public Schools and various business and community service organizations. Media partners include Cumulus Broadcasting (KYBA-FM Y105) and ABC 6 News (KAAL-TV).
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact United Way of Olmsted County at (507) 287-2000 or runningstart@uwolmsted.org.
