School supplies being collected for children in need

The Salvation Army is collecting school supplies and backpacks for children in need through Aug. 20.

Salvation Army staff said children from Carson City, Douglas County and the surrounding communities will receive school supplies and backpacks as needed.

The supplies will be distributed through The Salvation Army’s 661 Colorado St., location and a portion of the backpacks collected will be given directly to local schools and agencies for distribution to children in transition.

The Salvation Army said it has been getting calls from families in need for several weeks asking for help. Many of the parents are worried their kids won’t have what they need for school.

“Starting school off with the proper gear is important for a child’s wellbeing. I can remember when I was a kid and feeling out of place when all the other kids had new backpacks and supplies, and the teacher would have to supplement what I had. It made me feel like the other kids were better than me and, I believe, affected my school performance,” said Capt. Mark Cyr, officer in charge of the local Salvation Army. “We are collecting boxes of cereal this year to help supplement the backpacks as an addition to help the kids get a good breakfast their first week of school.”

This is the Army’s fifth year undertaking an Apple Tree school supply and backpack drive. Like The Salvation Army’s Christmas Angel Tree program, the campaign has “apples” that have a child’s wishes on them to help donors shop.

Apple trees can be found at the following Carson City businesses: Aaron’s Furniture, 3355 S. Carson St.; Anytime Fitness, 2629 N. Carson St. and 4215 S. Carson St.; Les Schwab, 1151 Highway 395; Tumbleweeds Gymnastics, 3633 Research Way; A Finer Image, 510 Stafford Way; Catalina Apartments, 700 Hot Springs Road; Ed’s Dog House, 3300 Airport Road; Edward Jones, 604 W. Washington St., Suite F; Carson City Hyundai, 3550 S. Carson St.; JC Penney, 3939 S. Carson St.; Sportsman’s Warehouse, 1443 S. Carson St.; Premier Physical Therapy, 1898 E. College Pkwy., Suite 102.

In Douglas County, go to Jethro’s, 1281 Kimmerling Road; A La Carte Saloon, 1456 Highway 395, Suite A; and the Douglas County Public Library, 1625 Library Lane in Minden.

Some locations have red barrows as well.

Items being sought include pencils, crayons, colored pencils, three-ring binders, scientific calculators, backpacks, pens, scissors, pencil sharpeners and pouches, paper, notebooks, composite books, glues sticks, highlighters, and boxes of healthy cereal.

Backpacks and supplies can be dropped at The Salvation Army, 661 Colorado St., before Aug. 20. Money donations can be made at carsoncity.salvationarmy.org or at one of the backpack drop-off locations.

For information, call the Salvation Army office at 775-887-9120, or go to carsoncity.salvationarmy.org.