Parents of up to 300 area children won’t have to decide between school supplies and food, said Salvation Army’s Gerry Loos.

Thursday, August 19, 1999

Parents of up to 300 area children won’t have to decide between school supplies and food, said Salvation Army’s Gerry Loos.

The community center director and youth pastor said 300 backpacks prepared for the Salvation Army’s annual program are a way of helping families in need.

&uot;We all know how expensive school supplies can be,&uot; he said.

He said the cost could leave some families to choose between a meal or getting their students ready for classes.

&uot;It’s just another avenue to help them out,&uot; he said.

The backpacks and school supplies are available for any student entering grades kindergarten through six and registered for school in Freeborn County or home schooling where verification is given.

Last year, 211 backpacks were handed out.

Salvation Army case worker Georgia Kaye said the organization is ready to help even more this year.

&uot;We try to help as many families as possible,&uot; she said.

While there is an income requirement to be eligible for the packs, Kaye said guidelines mean many families in Albert Lea will be eligible to receive the school supplies. For a family of four, the maximum income is $634 a week.

Applications for the program are being accepted through Friday, and Kaye said families must register to be eligible to pick up a pack on Saturday. Preregistration is required for the organization to verify income eligibility and school registration.

With an average cost of $8 per pack for the Salvation Army, Kaye noted a Wal-Mart discount and donations from the community means the backpacks are worth more to the families receiving them.

She said the assortment of colored backpacks with pencils, paper, glue and other school supplies is providing an excellent start to getting back to school for local students in need.