Tools for School takes on different form in COVID era

Efforts to provide school supplies for children in Putnam County are taking on a different form this year.

Besides the cancelation of National Night Out, the Tools for School program has also had to make adjustments to COVID-19 limitations.

The Tools for School program provides a backpack with the supplies each child needs for their classroom and also a new pair of tennis shoes.

“Due to COVID 19 this year’s Tools for School Program looks different,” program organizer Ruth Myers said. “We were unable to get all the families enrolled in the program due to the schools being closed since the middle of March. Our program works with the schools to get the information to the families and the families fill out the paperwork and send it back to us through the school system.”

There have been some apply through the lunch program but we know there are a lot of families that we have not been able to reach,” Myers continued. “We also believe there are a lot of families that may need assistance with school supplies and tennis shoes that we haven’t serviced before due to the economic situation we are in.”

There are also challenges to the way items have been purchased and distributed in the past.

“We are not going to be able to do what we have in the past, asking for individual sponsors to pick up backpacks and fill them, due to COVID conditions and the handling of the items,” Myers said. “We are needing as much sponsorship as we can get to be able to fill the needs we have. Last year we served over 600 children in the county. We believe the need will be greater this year. An average cost per child for backpack, supplies and tennis shoes is $75.

As such, Myers and her fellow organizers are in the process of figuring out what pick up will look like. It is likely to take the form of a drive-through, with National Night Out volunteers helping get the backpacks and shoes to each student.

Anyone interested in the program — from those in need to those wanting to sponsor a child or make monetary donations — is encouraged to visit philtheneed.net. Additionally, those wanting to donate may send checks to Phil The Need, P.O. Box 251, Greencastle, IN 46135.

Those wishing to support the program may also call Myers at 720-1739.