For the City Times

Family registration for Project Fresh Start, a United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center program that provides school supplies to qualifying students, is now open.

Registration is open through Friday, July 29, for the distribution event taking place Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, at Ben Franklin Jr. High, 2000 Polk Street.

A separate distribution for students of Almond-Bancroft schools will be held Tuesday, August 23, at the school in Almond. Pre-registration for the Almond-Bancroft event is not required.

Registration forms and informational materials for families can be found online at www.volunteersrock.org/pfs, in most school offices and at United Way of Portage County, 1100 Centerpoint Drive, Stevens Point. Participants are encouraged to register early, as time slots to pick up supplies are assigned according to the date registration forms are submitted.

Any K-12 student enrolled in a Portage County school and who qualifies for the federal free and reduced priced meal program is eligible to receive supplies. More than 3,000 students in Portage County will be eligible to receive supplies through Project Fresh Start. Last year Project Fresh Start served more than 1,200 students in Portage County, which was more than any previous year.

Community support for this program is critical. Through the summer months, area businesses, organizations and churches will host collection drives. The United Way Volunteer Center is always seeking new collection partners. More information and sign-up is available online at www.volunteersrock.org/pfs.

Many volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Individuals and groups can sign up to volunteer at Project Fresh Start by going to www.volunteersrock.org/pfs.

Contact the United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center at 715-341-6740 or [email protected] for more information.