School supply drive begins

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

The approach of a new school year will bring a hardship to many parents in Wythe and Bland counties. Escalating costs of fuel, food and other necessities will leave little money for needed school supplies.
Mt. CAP is seeking help from the public again this year to provide a variety of items for eligible students in the two-county area. The local service agency has received a grant from the Wythe-Bland Community Foundation to buy 400 book bags, which it hopes to fill.
“We had 400 kids that qualified for assistance,” noted Andrea Williams, service referral coordinator for Mt. CAP. “There are probably others that have not signed that are eligible.”
The program is open to children in grades pre-K through 12 who live in Wythe or Bland and whose parents or guardians meet the 150 percent federal poverty guidelines.
“We’re asking churches, clubs, other organizations, businesses and individuals to help with the supplies to put in the book bags,” Williams stated. “Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.”
Among the items needed are pencils, pens (black or blue ink), erasers, glue sticks, rulers, three-ring notebooks, loose-leaf paper, composition books, divided spiral notebooks, crayons, washable markers, pack of folders, calculators for high school students, safety scissors, pencil sharpener, sleeping mats for kindergarteners and colored pencils.
Williams pointed out that this coming weekend, Aug. 1-3, is “tax free” time at most area retail stores. Sales tax, she said, won’t be added to any school-related items.
All supplies or donations of money to buy supplies can be dropped off at the Mt. CAP office, located at the HOPE Ministry Center, 680 W. Main St. in Wytheville.
Bland County schools open Wednesday, Aug. 20. Wythe County schools resume classes on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
For more information, call Mt. CAP at 228-5231 (Wythe County) or 688-3762 (Bland County).
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .