An independent initiative to bring school supplies to students may provide students with the confidence booster they need to thrive in the classroom, according to Shelly Poire, local YMCA development director.
Poire coordinates the annual YMCA back to school drive, which collects school supplies for needy children within Jefferson City public schools.
"We hope we can help to make a difference in kids' lives. They can be more confident because they have what they need to be successful in school," she said.
Individuals can make a donation by giving school supplies at any Jefferson City area YMCA or through a monetary donation, she said.
Now in its second year, last year's drive "exceeded expectations," Poire said. "We were very happy with the response," Poire said.
The drive lasts through Aug. 4, she said.
Poire believes the community is especially eager to assist youth in need, she said. "Everyone wants to help kids. They're our future," Poire said.
Amy Berendzen, assistant to the superintendent for school and community relations, has observed the community's abundant generosity, she said.
"It shows what a generous group we are," she said of the Jefferson City community. "We're very appreciative of efforts such as that."
In order to distribute the donated supplies to children in need, parents of the child often speak with school administrators who address the need, she said.
"If there is a need, the need is taken care of based on trusted and solid foundations with the family," she said.
Because teachers cannot provide all the supplies that students need, "an organic effort such as that helps kids in areas where there is need," she said.
A list of requested supplies includes: tote bag/backpack, No. 2 pencils, washable markers, colored pencils, yellow highlighters, wide-ruled composition notebooks and spiral notebooks, sticky notes, three-ring binders, unscented wipes, unscented hand sanitizer, gallon recloseable plastic freezer bags and quart recloseable plastic freezer bags.