Help McHenry County Salvation Army give out school supplies to kids in need
The Salvation Army of McHenry County is preparing for its annual Back-to-School supply distribution, held the last week of July.
Every year the Army provides hundreds - even thousands - of backpacks for McHenry County students so they can go back to school prepared to learn and succeed. This year, with COVID-19 causing additional financial strain, the distribution is even more necessary.
Volunteers are needed to help sort, pack, and distribute supplies. To help, you can sign up online at volunteersignup.org/H7LXE or call (815) 455-2769.
The volunteer dates are:
• Tuesday, July 21, to Friday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. (sorting and packing);
• Thursday, July 30 to Friday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. (sorting, packing, distributing);
• Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to noon (sorting, packing, distributing)
Families can visit The Salvation Army of McHenry County at 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave. to pick up a back pack and school supplies. No appointments are needed.
The distribution will be Thursday and Friday, July 30-31, from 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m and 5 to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Any families who are not able to provide their children with backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming Fall 2020 school year can request assistance. The requirement to obtain a free backpack is the following: eligibility is based on annual household income that is $48,500 or less for a family of four (adjustments are made for larger families) or those affected by COVID-19 and living in McHenry County.
To qualify for assistance, parents must provide the following information:
1. One form of verification of residency in McHenry County - driver's license, utility bill, lease, etc.
2. Proof of household monthly income - pay stubs, child support, social security, etc.
3. Birth certificates for each of the children receiving a backpack (they no longer take social security cards only)
The Salvation Army will provide backpacks and supplies for children between the grades of kindergarten through 12th grade. Applications will be accepted at their office located at 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake. An appointment is not necessary. Families just need to show up within the listed time frame, register and receive their backpack(s) in the same visit. Children are welcome and may pick out the backpack of their choice.
All donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army of McHenry County from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Financial contributions are also being accepted for the Back-to-School Program (B2S) either through mail in, drop off to the above location or online at centralusa.salvationarmy.org/mchenry.
For more information on the Back-to-School program, call (815) 455-2769.
The Salvation Army has served the communities in McHenry County for more than 27 years of dedicated service. The McHenry County Corps provides meals, clothing, school supplies, toys, financial, and spiritual assistance to those in need. The McHenry County Corps is located in Crystal Lake at 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave. and is part of The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division.