Shopko-Salvation Army get kids ready for school

Shopko stores will partner with the Salvation Army to launch the annual “Tools for School” campaign. The two organizations have worked together on the “Tools for School” program since 2005.

This year, school supplies will be collected at approximately 160 Shopko locations from July 15 through August 10. All current Shopko and Shopko Hometown stores will participate in the event.

The “Tools for School” program provides school supplies to low income children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Beginning August 13, school supplies are distributed by the Salvation Army based on community donations and are available while supplies last. Children are provided a pre-packaged bag of school supplies and each family is provided with one new backpack.

“Shopko is proud to partner with the Salvation Army once again on the “Tools for School” campaign,” said Paul Jones, Shopko President and CEO. “Through the Shopko Foundation, we support projects that help students succeed in school and become self-sufficient adults. It’s fundamental to their education that students have the supplies that they need to be ready to learn each day and that’s why the ‘Tools for School’ project is so important.”

“The Salvation Army is thankful for the support of Shopko and local citizens in this community-wide effort” says Nan Pahl, Director of Social Services at The Salvation Army of Brown County. “The program allows children from low-income families to start school feeling good about themselves and their school supplies and helps their self confidence knowing they blend in with all the other students who got new things for the first day of school. The program also allows low-income families to make sure their regular monthly needs are met, while at the same time meeting their children’s needs for new school supplies.”

Shopko is currently converting over 155 Pamida locations to the Shopko Hometown format and will expand next year’s “Tools for School” program to those additional stores in an effort to reach even more families in need.

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