The Benton County Sheriff’s Office’s 17th annual Back to School Supply Drive is in progress through Aug. 26.
For those interested in donating to the supply drive, backpacks have historically been a large need for students of low-income families returning to school. Monetary donations will also be accepted. For example, officials said just $35 can provide one student with supplies for an entire year.
Other supplies needed include: three-ring binders, cleaning wipes, coats or jackets, colored pencils, composition books, Crayola crayons, dry-erase markers, erasers, folders, glue and glue sticks, hand sanitizer, highlighters, index cards, lined paper and spiral notebooks, lunchboxes, pens and pencils, pencil bags or boxes, rulers, scissors, new socks, tissue or Kleenex, new underwear for kids, and watercolor paints.
Used supplies and books are not accepted.
Supplies gathered will be divided and distributed immediately following the event between five rural schools — Alsea Elementary, Blodgett Elementary, Kings Valley Charter School, Monroe Elementary and Muddy Creek Charter School.
“Every student deserves to begin the school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed,” Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall said through a press release. “By working together, we can ease the burden on local families and show students that their community is invested in their future.”
Cash, checks or supplies may be dropped off or mailed to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: The Sheriff’s Foundation, at 180 NW Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330. Contact BCSO with any questions at BentonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov.