The Emerging Leaders of the United Way of Marion and Taylor County are collecting items to help school pantries start the year stocked and ready to provide for our students in need. Schools in both Marion and Taylor county will receive hygiene products and clothing for their in-school pantries. This year’s collection builds on the work that was done with last year’s Stock the Shelves event. “We wanted to rename this collection drive to better reflect the work being done and the community being served. We were thrilled with the response last year and are so excited to build on that momentum,” said Joseph Solberg, Emerging Leaders Co-Chair. “We are also expanding to Taylor County this year, which is really important to me as someone who works closely with several agencies in the county and consider Grafton my adopted hometown.”
“The Emerging Leaders are very excited to help our school pantries start the year stocked and ready to go,” said Chris Sharps, Emerging Leaders Co-Chair. “Given the current climate, we included an Amazon Charity List this year, which makes donating even easier. The items can be purchased online and will be shipped directly to the United Way office. We are hopeful this online option will encourage even more folks to participate and increase the impact of United for Kids.”
Brett White, Executive Director of the United Way of Marion and Taylor Counties, noted the increase of need in the community. “As students return to school in the fall, we know there will many more students who are in need. This drive really gives the school pantries a head-start to help students go through their days with dignity and ready to learn. Our Emerging Leaders have really taken on this project with so much enthusiasm and pride. It’s a wonderful connection to our schools and the community as a whole.”
The items they are seeking are travel-sized shampoo and soap, non-perishable snacks, deodorant, mouthwash, toothpaste, sunscreen, Chapstick, floss, hand sanitizer, Band-Aids, feminine hygiene products, flip flops, travel tissues, toboggans, gloves, underwear, shorts, T-Shirts, socks, and sweatpants.
Items can be dropped off at the collection sites below or the Amazon Charity List at go.uwmtc.org/kids.
Marion County
- Applebee’s 25 Southland Drive, Fairmont
- Mario’s 131 Market Street, Mannington
- Rider Pharmacy, Gifts and Collectibles 303 Merchant Street, Fairmont
- United Way of Marion and Taylor Counties 221 Washington Street, Fairmont
Taylor County
- Espresso Yourself 34 W. Main Street, Grafton
- Walmart #1 Wal-Mart Lane, Grafton
Amazon Charity List
