Neighbors,

Each year, the Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services provides local children with new backpacks filled with fresh school supplies so that they can start their school year equipped. In 2022, we expect to distribute over 500 backpacks!

It’s not about notebooks, binders, or colorful highlighters, really; it’s about the pride a child can have when they show up for the first day of class with everything they need to succeed. It’s about instilling a sense of dignity in our young people. It’s about getting them excited to show up for school!

However, we can’t do this without the help of our generous community. Inflation is impacting the families we serve in really severe ways, and their wallets are stretched. On average, it costs $48 to send a child back to school with new materials.

That’s where you come in. Will you consider contributing to our back-to-school program, ensuring that kids start the school year confident and prepared?

Here’s how you can help:

• Help us advertise the program! We’ve created a digital toolkit with social media graphics and downloadable flyers that can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3ueWTcH.
• Serve as a donation collection center from July 1-August 1 and contact us to drop off your donations no later than end of day on Monday, August 4.
• Donate funds for the purchase of backpacks and supplies here: https://bit.ly/39GjzeL.
• Contribute to our Amazon wish list and send items directly to the food bank! That link is: https://amzn.to/3ybHfRK.

Important dates:

• Donation collection: July 1 to August 1
• Last call for item drop-offs: August 4
• Backpack distribution: Beginning August 24 (during market hours)
• Feel free to contact us if you have any questions at kaily@maplevalleyfoodbank.org. Thank you in advance for your support!

With gratitude,

Lindsey Habenicht, Executive Director