Back to School: it takes a village to outfit a thousand students

1000 backpacks for 1000 students in need

From the Back to School Consortium

Thanks to an incredible outpouring of support from its partners, volunteers and supporters, the 2019 Back to School Consortium event was a huge success!

The event, which was held at Ridgecrest Elementary on Saturday, August 24, 2019 served 1003 students from 411 families that live in the Shoreline School District boundary or attend a Shoreline/ Lake Forest Park school. 

Shorecrest Football team members helped bring socks, underwear, and hygiene items from The WORKS to Ridgecrest in preparation for the BTS event. They have helped do this for many years.

Each student received a new backpack, school supplies, underwear, socks, toothbrush and hygiene products. Additionally, each family received shampoo, conditioner, soap, and toothpaste.

James Alan Salon and a Better Day Salon provided free haircuts to help students look and feel their best for the start of the school year.

Camp Fire Camperz volunteered to assemble school supplies and backpacks
in preparation for the BTS event. They have been doing this for years.

The Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park cooked and served hundreds of free hot dog lunches for families to enjoy while socializing and visiting the dozens of community resource booths. 

The resource booths, staffed by local businesses and service agencies, shared helpful information, resources and fun activities at the event. 

Volunteers sorting school supplies

 

Backpacks and supplies were provided by community members who generously donated funds and/or school supplies to the event. 

If you dropped a new backpack or school supplies into one of the yellow school bus donation boxes around town or donated funds directly to the event, you helped a Shoreline School District student start the school year off on the right foot.

Event check in volunteers

Consortium members include: 

Center for Human Services, Hopelink, Dale Turner YMCA, City of Shoreline, Shoreline School District, Shoreline PTA Council’s The WORKS, Turning Point, Ronald United Methodist Church, Shoreline Community Care, Lake Forest Park Rotary, and The Salvation Army. 

Socks, underwear, and hygiene product distribution volunteers

Thanks to all of the individuals and community groups who volunteered their time, including Shoreline Rotary, prepping for the event and on the day of the event.

The Back to School Consortium wishes to thank the hundreds of people who donated their time, resources and funds to help make this event such a success and positive start to the school year for so many! 

The Backpack Distribution Team

If you missed this event and need assistance with clothing or school supplies, please contact Jill at The WORKS at shorelineptaworks@gmail.com or leave a message at 206-393-4916. You can also stop by The WORKS on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00pm when school is in session.

Website for the Back To School Consortium
Link to the donation page