Backpacks, pencils, paper and rulers: Hundreds receive free school supplies

After necessary family expenses, Mindy Harper figured she'd only have $25 left to buy school supplies for her son.

With the cost of school supplies, Harper knew she didn't have enough money to equip her son for school.

But Harper, whose husband had to declare personal bankruptcy earlier this year, said her prayers were answered.

On Friday, she and hundreds of area families crowded into the Salvation Army gymnasium to receive free school supplies.

"God was watching over me," she said as she picked up backpacks stuffed with school supplies for her son and a friend's child.

A long line of parents, grandparents and children waited to get into the Salvation Army building Friday morning.

Inside, Salvation Army staff and volunteers handed out backpacks and other school supplies. Volunteers manned a table in front of a mountain of backpacks in various colors.

The agency handed out more than 700 backpacks packed with glue, pencils, pens, folders, notebook paper, rulers and other supplies to low-income families.

In all, the agency handed out several thousand dollars' worth of school supplies.

It still has a few hundred backpacks available. Salvation Army Maj. Ben Stillwell said a heavy rain Friday afternoon probably kept some people away.

The Salvation Army expects to hand out the remaining school supplies over the course of the next week.

Families had to show Medicare cards or other documentation to get the school supplies.

"We are trying to push education," said Salvation Army caseworker Tina Rodgers.

Having a decent backpack and adequate school supplies makes students feel better about going to school, she said. "That first day is so important."

But for some like Harper, the handout of school supplies -- some of them bought by the Salvation Army and others donated -- was a new experience.

The Cape Girardeau woman said she learned about the free school supplies from a co-worker.

Joyce Thrower showed up with her three grandchildren to get school supplies.

With families already struggling to pay for gas and groceries, Thrower said the free school supplies were a big help .

Her 7-year-old grandson, Blake Harris, had little to say. He just grinned as he walked around with his new possession -- a red backpack strapped on his shoulders.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123