For the City Times

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 4K-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 1,000 students in Portage County. This is the first year 4K students are eligible for Project Fresh Start.

Registration is open through Friday, July 26, for the distribution event taking place Saturday, Aug. 17, at PJ Jacobs Junior High School in Stevens Point.

 “Our need is greater than ever this year, and the community has already been showing its support by coming together to collect supplies,” said Cecily Mileski, United Way of Portage County Volunteer Engagement Associate. “A full list of collection drop off sites and most needed items can be found on our Facebook page as well aswww.volunteersrock.org/pfs.”

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

Individuals can sign up to receive Project Fresh Start school supplies, or businesses can become a drop off location, 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.