Donate school supplies at Shopko for Salvation Army school program

ISHPEMING — “Tools for School” campaign underway.

Shopko retail stores and the Salvation Army are collecting school supplies and the U.P. generosity is needed. Since 2005, Shopko has assisted the Salvation Army in collecting school supplies for local kids. All 300+ Shopko stores are participating in the “Tools for School” program.

“The hardest item to get is the backpacks because they are the most expensive thing. But, we need everything that goes into them, paper, glue, colored pencils, crayons, markers, basically any school supply a kid will need, we are hoping to get to give to the children that need backpacks,” said Capt. Stephen Hansen, Salvation Army Corps Officer.

Last year the program assisted 250 kids in need. This year they already have 150 students signed up and they are estimating this year will grow to about 250.

Shop Store Manager Patty Evans says, “It helps kindergarten through 12th grade so there are no age limitations , it just makes everyone feel good, so it feels good to help your community. Buy an extra school supply when you are in, drop it in the box and help someone from our community that may need it.”

Each Shopko store carries a list of needs from each school located in the school supply isle. This way you can pick up exactly what your local kids need.
Shopko “Tools for School” collection boxes will be in stores until this Friday, August 7th. You can drop off donated items at the Salvation Army itself once the collection boxes are gone.