People to People Ministries’ back-to-school project relies on support from community
Director of operations Joe Szeker, left, and special projects manager Michelle Weaver assist with People to People Ministries, which provided more than 800 area children with school supplies, shoes and clothing last year. The Back to School Project for 2018 is still in need of many volunteers and monetary donations.
Last year People to People Ministries’ back-to-school project served 812 local kids. That’s 812 children living in a situation where it may have otherwise been difficult or impossible for their family to provide new shoes, socks, clothes and necessary supplies to begin the new school year.
“This is the biggest project that we have,” said Michelle Weaver, People to People’s special projects manager. “It’s a blessing what we do.”
The project relies heavily on both community volunteers and monetary donations. Both are needed for the upcoming back-to-school event.
School-age children in qualifying households in Wayne County will be able to shop for school supplies and clothing for free from Aug. 6-8. The 2018 project will take place at the Wooster Church of the Nazarene, 3100 Oak Hill Road, Wooster.
Along with school supplies, every child will receive a coupon from Payless ShoeSource for a free pair of shoes and will be able to choose up to three outfits from a collection of new and nearly new clothes. Teenage girls also will be given a Kohl’s certificate good for a bra.
Registration is required in order to schedule a date and time to shop Aug. 6-8. Interested families need to stop by the People to People office. Bring proof of residency for the past 90 days. A utility bill with name and address or something similar is acceptable.
For those new to Wayne County, the residency requirement may be waived. A Social Security card is required for both children and parents.
People to People is located at 454 E. Bowman St., Wooster. Hours to sign up for the project will begin on Saturday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to noon and continue through July 27 during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
Many volunteers are needed Aug. 4-9 for loading and unloading boxes, sorting and setting up, and shopping with the kids. Groups are encouraged to sign up.
“Fifty people are needed for Sunday, Aug. 5, afternoon and evening,” Weaver said.
Weaver also is putting together a committee to focus on the back-to-school project year round. “I could use some more people to help throughout the year,” she said.
There are many tasks awaiting volunteers all year long. “The back-to-school project is just the first of our busy fall, winter and holiday season,” said Joe Szeker, director of operations. “We can always use volunteers on a daily basis.”
When Szeker had only been at the agency for a few weeks, he had occasion to help a young boy choose some back-to-school items from People to People’s back-to-school collection. “Every time he got something he was so excited, so appreciative. He had me crying,” Szeker said. “That really picked me up and allowed me to know why I’m here. It’s the people.”
Weaver said she is touched by the community’s giving nature. She said, “People are so good-hearted.”
Along with ongoing needs for people to work with the clothing and food pantry, there is currently a need for individuals with computer skills and those who can do some moderate lifting.
Anyone who orders items on Amazon.com also may support People to People through the Amazon Smile Foundation. Designate People to People as the recipient, and a portion of every eligible purchase will be donated.
Any taxi or transportation companies interested in volunteering to provide rides to and from the back-to-school project for next year are invited to contact Weaver.
“We are currently asking people if they might want to donate $1 per month,” Szeker said. “Like every other agency, we need operating funds. If we can get a couple thousand people to send a buck a month, that would help us support ourselves wonderfully.”
Weaver also would like to invite community members to email her if they are interested in receiving the organization’s email newsletter.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer, email Weaver at michelle@ptpm.net.
“For a donation of $15 you can sponsor a child,” Weaver said.
The donation covers a backpack and all the basic school supplies. “And the kids still get to come in person to shop and pack the backpack with items of their choosing,” Weaver said.
Donations may be made by mailing a check made out to People to People Ministries to 454 E. Bowman St., Wooster, OH 44691. Make a notation on the check that it is for the Back to School Project. Donations also may be made online via PayPal or credit card at www.ptpm.net/donate/.
People to People operates on a shoestring budget. All contributions are appreciated. Current needs may be found on the webpage and include toys for kids age 6-11 for the Christmas toy project.
Find People to People Ministries on the web at www.p2pm.net and on Facebook.