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STEVENS POINT – Supply collection for Project Fresh Start, a United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center program that provides school supplies to qualifying students, is underway.

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.

Registration is open through Friday, July 27, for the distribution event on Saturday, Aug. 18, at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School in Stevens Point.

“Our need is greater than ever this year, and the community has been showing its support by coming together to collect supplies,” said Cecily Mileski, United Way of Portage County Volunteer Engagement Associate.

United Way Volunteer Center of Portage County teams up with hundreds of volunteers and businesses each year to collect and distribute needed supplies to children. With the support from our community, Mileski is confident that United Way can collect enough school supplies to ensure that every child goes back to school with the tools they need to succeed.

Mileski also said more volunteers are still needed to make sure this event is a success. “Project Fresh Start could not be successful without the help of more than 100 volunteers,” she said. “We are still in need of volunteers to distribute supplies and books to children on Saturday, Aug. 18.”

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.