New school supplies add to the excitement of a new school year, but according to statistics, more than 8,400 Poudre School District students who qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch program will likely struggle to purchase school supplies this year.

To combat this struggle, several community groups are joining forces to ensure all PSD students have the necessary school supplies.“Supply Our Students” week will be held Aug. 6-10 to encourage donations of school supplies and to raise awareness about the need.

During “Supply Our Students" week:
• Volunteers of America will host collection barrels at local Wal-Mart stores in conjunction with the 9News “Stuff for Students” drive. This drive runs from Aug. 4-19. 
• Colorado State University will distribute backpacks and school supplies on Aug. 8 and 9 to elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in the Poudre School District through their “School is Cool” program.
• The OtterCares Foundation will host their annual “Pack2School” backpack and school supply giving event on Aug. 10 at the Northside Aztlan Center located at 112 Willow St.
• The PSD Partnership Center will accept school supply donations for their Teacher’s Closet at 1630 South Stover St. The Partnership Center accepts donations year-round.

“Supply Our Students” is a collaborative effort between PSD and  Volunteers of America, Colorado State University, the OtterCares Foundation, and Concerned Larimer and Realities for Children.

Specific efforts include:

Volunteers of America
In partnership with the 9News “Stuff for Students” drive, Volunteers of America Northern Colorado collects new school supplies through collection barrels at local Wal-Mart stores during the month of August. Supplies collected at stores in Fort Collins and Timnath are donated directly to the PSD Teacher’s Closet.

Colorado State University: School is Cool
Over the past 20 years, “School is Cool” has helped more than 26,000 PSD students. Last year, the program provided 2,650 backpacks to kindergarten through 12th-grade students. “School is Cool” is organized by CSU employees with generous support from the Bohemian Foundation and CSU Bookstore.

OtterCares Foundation: Pack2School
As the charitable arm of OtterBox®, the OtterCares Foundation hosts “Pack2School,” a one-day event that allows students to “shop” for their supplies, free of charge. Supplies are purchased by OtterCares and the event is staffed by OtterBox and OtterCares employees as well as community volunteers. In 2011, the event supported kindergarten through 8th-grade PSD students. This year, the program will also include supplies for high school students.

PSD Teacher's Closet
The PSD Partnership and Volunteer Center accepts school and office supply donations throughout the year at The Teacher’s Closet, where teachers come once a week and shop for supplies for their students and classrooms.  To coordinate a donation, please contact 970-490-3208.

Realities for Children
This charitable organization is dedicated to serving abused and neglected children in Larimer County. Through an annual drive, Realities for Children collects backpacks and supplies to distribute to children served by their affiliate agencies.

Concerned Larimer
Through various faith groups and churches, Concerned Larimer procures donations of school supplies for the Volunteers of America collection barrels in August. Concerned Larimer then generates additional supplies from the faith community for second semester and has helped to fill specific requests such as hand sanitizer and tissues. Donations go directly to the PSD Teacher’s Closet.

For more information, contact Jody Margheim, PSD Partnership & Volunteer coordinator, 490-3207 or jody@psdschools.org