Backpacks, school supplies being gathered and distributed for students returning to school

By George Slaughter, News Editor
Posted 8/4/22

Local nonprofits and charities are gathering and distributing school supplies as Katy-area students prepare to return to school next week.

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Backpacks, school supplies being gathered and distributed for students returning to school

Posted

Local nonprofits and charities are gathering and distributing school supplies as Katy-area students prepare to return to school next week.

One 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Compassion Katy, is in its sixth year of donating backpacks and school supplies to students at Title 1 schools in the Katy Independent School District. Its program, called Operation Back 2 School, began in 2017 with one elementary school and today covers all 18 Title 1 elementary schools.

Those schools are Bear Creek Elementary, Cimarron Elementary, Franz Elementary, Golbow Elementary, Hutsell Elementary, King Elementary, Leonard Elementary, Mayde Creek Elementary, McRoberts Elementary, Memorial Parkway Elementary, Morton Ranch Elementary, Rhoads Elementary, Schmalz Elementary, Stephens Elementary, Sundown Elementary, West Memorial Elementary, Winborn Elementary and Wolfe Elementary.

Students registered with their respective schools during the previous school year to get on the distribution list. Regina Alexander, the organization’s public relations director, said the program would serve over 2,000 students who needed the supplies.

Alexander said the organization worked with sponsors, such as Chick-fil-A, along with organizations and churches, to purchase the supplies.

Families received their supplies through a drive-thru system set to take place Saturday, Aug. 6. Before the pandemic, students arrived at the designated time and date at the Leonard E. Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Dr., to get their supplies.

Katy Christian Ministries is another local organization helping with gathering and distributing school supplies, though its focus is larger than just the local Title 1 schools. Through its Red Apple School Supplies and Happy Feet Program, KCM provides supplies, and a pair of new shoes, to Katy ISD students.

KCM partnered with Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, 23212 Grand Circle Blvd., to gather supplies for the program.

In its appeal for this year, KCM said last year the program served 795 students and expects the need will be greater this year. Towards that end, KCM said it has set a budget for $60,000.

Katy ISD students return to school Aug. 17.

Correction:  An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Operation Back 2 School distributed backpacks on Tuesday, Aug. 2. They were to be distributed Saturday, Aug. 6. The Times regrets the error.

backpacks, school supplies, Operation Back 2 School, Compassion Katy, Katy Christian Ministries