Continuing an ongoing effort spanning more than a decade, the Ouaquaga Methodist Church in Harpursville made its latest donation to local students by dropping off backpacks and school supplies to A.F. Palmer Elementary School. The donation is part of the church’s school supplies giveaway program.
“We collect money from March through July, then go on a major shopping spree at the end of July,” said church member Sandy Straub.
The church gives backpacks and supplies away on the second Saturday of August.
"We had a line out the door,” said Straub.
The program, a brainchild of church member Joan Lockwood, began in 2007. That year, the church gave away 26 backpacks. This year, that number is around 60.
“Everybody in the church is on the same page. This is really important. We say we’re going to do this and we do,” said Straub.
“Any time we have outside agencies willing to support our students and create partnerships with our school, it’s important,” said Palmer Elementary principal Toby Youngs. “We’re grateful for all of the volunteers who work to help our students.”