169 local children will receive school supplies for back to school through Jamieson Community Center’s STARS program, or Students To Arrive Ready for School. Executive Director Nancy Mowen shares the supplies the students receive is not possible without the local community:
“We took applications in June and July. We recorded each child’s school and grade level. We have this master spreadsheet that has all of the school supplies listed for Monmouth-Roseville, United, and Immaculate Conception because those are where all of our kiddos are from. Then we do all of our shopping. We had a lot donated by area churches, which was wonderful, a sponsorship by Community National Bank, which we greatly appreciate. I also have to note Smithfield came in at the eleventh hour because we had obviously a lot more children than we anticipated and so they made a nice monetary donation.”
Each child’s backpack is prepared for their specific grade level and supplies requested by the teacher.