Havre Salvation Army gets ready for local Back-To-School program

The Havre Salvation Army is offering backpacks and various school supplies through their Back-To-School program to children from kindergarten through grade 12 who attend schools in the Havre area.

The Salvation Army has partnered with other local companies for the project, such as Gary & Leo’s Fresh Foods and Walmart.

Havre Salvation Army Social Services Director Trina Crawford prepares for this program by organizing volunteers and applications to ensure community families get the help they need sending children back to school.

“We always can use volunteers,” Crawford said, “We are in need of four for distribution on the afternoon of Aug. 22 and morning of Aug. 23.”

Applications must be turned in by Aug. 22. 

“Please give us a call or come into the office 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday,” Crawford said, “Eligibility requirements are children who are 125% of the poverty line or in need … are eligible to receive these backpacks.”

Proof of need is just one requirement. A picture ID of the adult filling out the form must be shown, as well as proof of identification for each family member. Proof of residence is also mandatory, such as a power bill or piece of mail with physical address on it. The last piece of documentation needed will be proof of income.

The “How Can I Help” program is also running now. This gives the community a chance to help with the Back-To-School program. 

“We are taking donations,” Crawford said, “The Salvation Army is partnering again with Gary & Leo’s IGA where you can purchase $25 worth of supplies and a backpack. Come check it out at their check stands in their store.

“Water colors, pencil boxes, pencil pouches, wide-ruled loose paper and one-subject notebooks, college ruled loose paper and 1” to 1-½” three-ring binders are the ones we do not have any of,” Crawford said, “which means we ran out last year.”

“We will be participating with Walmart around the first part of August with Stuff the Bus campaign,” Crawford added.

For the Stuff the Bus campaign, each check stand will have a selection of school supplies to choose from during check out. Those items will be added to the cardboard bus cut-out at the store.

“The Stuff the Bus campaign gives people a chance to purchase back-to-school items and donate through Walmart,” Crawford said, “We would need volunteers to hand out flyers on the day that this will be running.”

The Salvation Army will have more information on the Stuff the Bus campaign at a later date.