Fishline hooks into assisting students

Published 7:00 am Saturday, July 29, 2006

POULSBO — When the time comes to return to school, North Kitsap students will need a full list of tools that can aid their educational construction throughout the year. Depending on what grade children are attending, parents can expect their supply lists to come with a fairly hefty price tag.

For those who are struggling financially but still desire to send their children to school well-equipped for learning everything from the ABCs to geometry, North Kitsap Fishline is once again offering assistance through its Back to School school supplies program.

“This program allows people to come to us and register for help for their kids’ school supplies,” said NK Fishline operations manager Pat Bley, who coordinates the program with the Kingston ShareNet and the North Point Community Church. “Kids want to have the same things that other kids have.”

With that thought in mind, Fishline picked up copies of the supply lists for each grade level at each school in the North Kitsap School District and has since been acquiring the required gear. In addition, through a wholesale retailer, the food bank is also accruing a large order of backpacks, which volunteers will later fill with school supplies, and distribute to families in need.

Families can sign up for the Back to School program beginning July 31 at the either Fishline or Kingston ShareNet. At this point, the non-profits still need assistance in collecting some of the supplies for distribution.

“All of these supplies are collected through donations from the people of this community,” Bley said, noting that community members interested can make donations in either monetary or product forms.

There is still a need for classroom essentials such as loose leaf paper (college and wide-ruled), pens (red, black and blue), erasers, glue sticks and No. 2 pencils, she said. Interested donors can make a cash or check donation to Fishline, denoting that the money is to be used for the Back to School program, and Fishline staff will purchase the supplies.

Or donors can purchase the supplies in accordance with NKSD lists and donate the actual products to the program.

Donations will be received only at Fishline — 18916 3rd Ave. in Poulsbo — until Aug. 17. On Aug. 21, Fishline workers along with North Point Church volunteers will be combining efforts with helpers from around the community to pack the bags.

“We’ve ordered 420 backpacks already. Between that and some of the donations still coming in, we are probably looking at 450 this year,” said North Point Community church volunteer Kathy Smith. “It doesn’t seem like things like pencils on sale for 50 cents are very much, but when you start adding it up, it’s a big chunk of money that can come out of (a family’s) budget; some families just don’t have the extra money in their budget.”

Initial distribution of the donated supplies will be Aug. 24, 25 and 26 at the North Point Community Church located across Hostmark Street from North Kitsap High School. After that weekend, registered families will be able to pick up the gear from the Fishline store.