School supply program might turn away needy

[IndianaGreen]

School supply program might turn away needy

Associated Press
Posted: July 17, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- A Bartholomew County program that provides free school supplies to needy children could have to turn families away for the first time in its history because of increased demand and a $19,000 funding gap.

Nearly 900 children so far have registered for assistance through the School Supply Assistance Project. That's more than double the 400 who had signed up this time last year, said Diane Doup, community outreach coordinator at Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center.

"We are starting to feel panicked because of the high numbers of registrations and realizing our funds are quickly depleting," Doup said.

Organizers had estimated they would need about $25,000 to serve 2,000 children this year but have increased that estimate to $35,000. The project has $16,000 in donations so far.

The situation is being compounded by a Dec. 24 fire at the United Way of Bartholomew County, which destroyed nearly $11,000 worth of supplies that had been bought on clearance. Sheryl Adams, executive director of Sans Souci, said it will cost more to replace the items because they aren't marked down.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100717/LOCAL/7170356/Free-school-supplies-might-be-cut-off