Project Fresh Start

Preparing children to succeed in school

Purpose		General Information
The start of a new school year means buying school supplies. For many familes, the cost of school supplies brings added financial stress and worry. Project Fresh Start depends on the support of the Portage County community to help eligible children receive the supplies they need to go back to school ready to learn. Nearly one-third of children attending Portage County public schools in grades K-12 (more than 2,600 students) qualify for free or reduced lunch program and are eligible to participate in Project Fresh Start.		2009 Fact Sheet-English 2009 Fact Sheet-Spanish 2009 Fact Sheet- Hmong
How it works
Individuals or groups collect school supplies and drop them off the week of August 17 at one of the locations where the LIVE UNITED truck will be parked or at Ben Franklin Junior High on August 20. To view the current participating collection groups, click on the "Drive/Drop Site Partners" link on the right. The school supplies will be sorted and distributed to students on August 22 and 27. Last year, over 800 students received school supplies. This year, we'd like to reach at least 1,300 of the 2,600 eligible students!		Newsletter Article-English Newsletter Article- Spanish Newsletter Article-Hmong
How to Register to Get Free School Supplies		Registration Information
If your children qualify for free or reduced lunch for the upcoming school year and you wish to register them: complete a registration form by August 5th (see link to the right) students from Almond-Bancroft schools do not need to pre-register There is no onsite registration for this event. All participants (except Almond-Bancroft students) must register by August 5th. To receive supplies, all registered persons must attend the event on August 22 (August 27 for Almond-Bancroft). Organizers will not set aside supplies for those unable to attend this event.		2009 Parent/Caregiver letter-English 2009 Parent/Caregiver letter-Spanish 2009 Parent/Caregiver Letter-Hmong 2009 Registration Form-English 2009 Registration Form-Spanish 2009 Registration Form-Hmong 2009 Almond-Bancroft Parent/Caregiver Letter-English 2009 Almond-Bancroft Parent/Caregiver Letter-Spanish 2009 Almond-Bancroft Registration Form-English 2009 Almond-Bancrift Registration Form-Spanish
Hold a Drive or Be a Drop Site:		Drive/Drop Site Partners
Organizations, groups or businesses may participate by holding their own internal drive and be a Drive Partner. They can also choose to be a Drop Site Partner (generally high foot traffic locations where community members can drop off schools supplies.) For information about how to hold a drive, be a drop site or to see what groups are already participating, see the links to the right.		Drive/drop Site Locations Partner Registration & Agreement Form Partner Toolkit School Supply Wish List Donation Flyer Poster 11"x17" Poster 8 1/2"x11" Poster 4 1/4"x5 1/2"
Volunteer:		Additional Resources:
We need LOTS of help to assist with the drop and drive sites and to sort and distribute supplies during the weeks of July 10 and August 17. Starting June 15, individuals may view volunteer opportunities by going to volunteer opportunities by clicking here.		2009 Proposed Outcomes 2009 Fill-A-Truck Event (coming soon)
Cash Donations:
Cash or check donations are being accepted at United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center. Donations to support Project Fresh Start can be sent to: Project Fresh Start, 1100 Centerpoint Drive #301, Stevens Point, WI 54481.
For More Information:
Contact United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center at (715) 341-6740 or volunteer@unitedwaypoco.org