The annual effort to make sure children have school supplies when they return to classes, begins this weekend. Postal carriers will pick up donations Saturday from residents of the Illinois Quad Cities for the First Day Project. The collection in the Iowa Quad Cities will be held on August 3rd.
Virginia Jarrett, from the Rock Island School District, says donations are sorted by volunteers and then distributed to the participating schools, based on the number of children who receive free or reduced price lunches. She thinks it's important for kids to have pens, pencils, paper, and other supplies on the first day of school - it helps them feel like they belong and are equal to the other students.
Monetary donations are also welcome.
Each year, the First Day Project helps thousands of children get ready to return to school.