KANSAS CITY, Kan. — It’s hard to think about going back to school when it’s this hot, but a program in Kansas City, Kan., needs you to start thinking about it right now. The Back to School Program at KCK Community College is coming up August 4. They provide kids with a back pack, school supplies, medical immunizations and physicals, and even a free hair cut.
However, a major donor couldn’t come through this year and the whole program could be in trouble if they don’t get some donors or community members to step in and help fill this important need. The back to school program helped 3,000 kids last year and they’re expecting even more this year. Arlana Coleman, program coordinator, says they’re trying to prepare for 4500 kids this year.
“As the economy has taken a dip and families have greater needs and even the number of families who are homeless has grown tremendously,” she says, “so we feel like we have to increase as much as we can the giving we do.”
Coleman says there’s no doubt that without this program, many kids will come to school without the needed school supplies.
“When parents have to make a decision between, ‘Am I going to pay the rent, groceries, or am I going to buy some white glue?’ what’s their decision going to be?” she says.
This is the first time the program has had to turn to the community for help like this. You can donate financially through the KCK Community College Regional Prevention Center:
Andrica Wilcoxen, Prevention Specialist
(913) 288-7439
awilcoxen@kckcc.edu
You can also shop for school supplies and donate them to the program at the Walmart in Bonner Springs starting this Friday, through July 29. There will also be a donation bin available at the Walmart at the Legends the weekend of July 28 only.