Backpack project ‘supplies’ school necessities to students

WARREN — More than 4,000 school children will have the classroom supplies they need this school year, courtesy of the Back-to-School campaign through United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Volunteers from United Way and several local businesses gathered Aug. 12-14 in the Lincoln High School gymnasium to pack approximately 4,300 backpacks to be distributed to 13 schools in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

On the first day, volunteers set up tables and organized the school supplies. On Aug. 13, three shifts with about 60 volunteers formed assembly lines as they packed supplies into the backpacks of various colors. As they worked, the crew had conversations with each other as music from ABBA, Journey and other artists played through speakers.

On Aug. 14, the Penske company donated three trucks and drivers to deliver the supplies to participating schools. Lincoln High School, part of the Van Dyke Public Schools district, received 470 backpacks.

Each of the K-5 students who received a backpack will start off the school year with construction paper, pencils, crayons, notebooks, folders, scissors, glue sticks, markers and more. The middle school and high school supplies included notebooks, binders, mechanical pencils, highlighters, pens and sticky notes.

The United Way focuses on different areas in the community, providing basic needs, shelter and utilities. Kristen Cibulski, United Way director of engagement, said the cost of the backpack supplies totaled $100,000, and this is the fourth year for the program.

And while the backpack campaign has provided for thousands of children over the years, “it’s never enough,” Cibulski said. “The amount of requests we get from community organizations, churches and recreation centers is more than we can provide.”

Preparation for this year’s campaign began in February. Volunteers from United Way, Penske, American Axle & Manufacturing, Bosch and Rocket Mortgage all did their part to make the project a success this month.

“We could not do this without our corporate partners, donors and volunteers,” Cibulski said.    

Rocket Mortgage employees Jennifer Sommerfield, Kimm Schultz and Amy Burch volunteered by packing backpacks Aug. 13. The trio volunteer quite often for different causes on behalf of Rocket Mortgage.

“We are glad to be here,” Sommerfield said. “What a great way to come together for the kids.”

Packing the supplies brought back memories for Schultz and her school days.

“School supplies were the best part of the year,” she said. “All the little kids are going to be so happy.”

Packing day fell on Burch’s birthday. Instead of making the day about her, she volunteered for the United Way project. Later in the day, she was off to Michigan Veterans Foundation on Grand River in Detroit to serve dinner, something she does once a week.

“Any reason to give back,” Burch said.

At another table, American Axle & Manufacturing employee Ken Richter spent part of Aug. 13 volunteering for the cause.

“We give back to our community. It’s part of our company’s culture,” Richter said. “It’s a small investment of my time for the benefit of a couple hundred kids.”