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More students need help getting school supplies
In yet another indication that the faltering economy is hitting local families hard, the number of families asking for assistance in FISH’s school-supply drive this year increased by more than 75 percent. The good news is that sponsors were still able and willing to donate the nearly 500 book bags, filled with supplies, that were requested.
Chrissy Goudeau, a former school teacher who has been involved with the organization’s school-supply drive for 10 years, said that volunteers were “shocked” by the number of requests they received.
“We got a little panicked when the numbers got so high,” she said. “Last year, we went into the day of distribution with 375 kids on the list and with walk-ins, we had close to 400.”
In the days leading up to Saturday’s distribution at Fauquier High School, FISH had 450 students on its list to receive supplies. Thanks to terrific sponsor support, Goudeau said the organization had those bags covered and was well on its way to filling the needs of students placed on a waiting list.
“Our sponsors, as always, just kind of came out of the woodwork,” she said, noting that contributors included churches who volunteered to fill the needs of 10, 20, or 40 kids as well as individuals who selected a name or two.
Sponsors are given general information about their selected child ? grade level and favorite color or character ? as well as a school-supply list. They are asked to purchase a new book bag and all of the required supplies. Students also receive a basic hygiene kit that includes shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and a gift card to Pay Less Shoes so that they can have new shoes for the first day of school.
“Our numbers have been going up every year, but we were just shocked that we had such a huge increase this year,” Goudeau said, noting that volunteers make direct contact with anyone requesting a book bag. “A lot of people called and said they were out of work and needed help. It just seems like there was definitely a huge need. We had a lot of new people this year.”
The school-supply drive has grown over the years, said Goudeau, who coordinates the drive. Goudeau, her sister Amee Kreh, and her mother Susan Hodges, director of FISH, all former teachers, work for the non-profit organization and began the school-supply project more than a decade ago by purchasing items for a handful of students.
“I used to teach first grade. It was sad when kids didn't have their supplies on the first day of school,” Goudeau said, noting that FISH has relaxed requirement qualifications for the school-supply drive so that any child in need can be well prepared for the new school year. “If they need help, we give it to them. We try to be as least intrusive as we can be and not worry about those that are going to cheat the system. This is for the kids. I know how it is when the kids come in without their supplies. They can’t help it.”
Noting the sometimes extensive supply lists distributed by some schools, Goudeau said that some parents simply cannot afford what's requested of them. “As a former teacher, I know that they don't get everything they need from the school system, but some of these lists are unbelievable. It's really tough on these parents to get that much,” she said. “I see both sides of it.”
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