Published: July 08, 2009 11:07 am      

Hendricks County BackPack Attack to collect school supplies in July

United Way of Central Indiana’s Hendricks County office kicked off its annual BackPack Attack on July 6 to benefit school children whose families are unable to afford basic supplies.

School supplies will be collected at area locations for distribution at all 20 Hendricks County elementary schools. Donations will be accepted throughout the month of July.

The Hendricks County Flyer is supplying collection boxes for this year’s Back Pack Attack drive.

“This is our fifth year for BackPack Attack,” Susie Friend, director of Hendricks County United Way, said in a press release. “We are very excited to have more businesses on board this year as collection sites.

“We have the opportunity to help students who might not otherwise have access to these supplies.”

BackPack Attack was designed to equip students from low-income families with school supplies so they enter the school year ready to learn. Last year, the county program collected more than 10,000 items.

“Initiatives like Back Pack Attack help United Way reach its goal of helping those who are most in need today — our first priority,” Friend said.

Adult and youth volunteers assist the Hendricks County office by sorting donated school supplies. Businesses, groups, and individuals are encouraged to collect items for donation.

Priority donation items include crayons, scissors, glue sticks, backpacks, pocket folders, watercolors, and dry erase markers. Other items needed include pens (no gel), pencils, colored pencils, spiral notebooks, notebook paper, and rulers.

Collection sites include Duke Energy, all Hendricks County Bank branches, the Hendricks County Flyer office, Hendricks County Senior Services, Hendricks Power Cooperative, Hendricks Regional Health, all First Merchants Bank branches, all Monroe Bank branches, Larry Nunn & Associates in Plainfield, the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library, the Brownsburg Public Library, all North Salem State Bank branches, all State Bank of Lizton branches, Steel Dynamics, United Way in Danville, and Vectren Energy.

Those who wish to make a monetary contribution to buy school supplies may send it to United Way, P.O. Box 791, Danville, IN 46122. Those who wish to volunteer to sort the supplies, should also contact the United Way office.

For more information about the BackPack Attack program or to volunteer, call the United Way office at 745-0310.