Mount Clemens

Backpackpalooza equips students in need

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

MOUNT CLEMENS — The start of the school year can be expensive for both parents and for teachers, and even more so for those teachers who are also parents.

That’s why Michigan Friends of Education — Operation: Kid Equip has for the past four years held Backpackpalooza, a day set aside for Southeast Michigan students in need to receive all they will need to start the school year on the right foot.

Not only that, the Troy-based organization also hosts a monthly Teacher’s Annex, when eligible teachers are able to pick up any and all school supplies and books they will need for their students.

Menachem Kniespeck, president and CEO of Michigan Friends of Education — Operation: Kid Equip, said there is a large need in the tri-county area, and all schools in Mount Clemens, including Seminole Academy where this year’s Backpackpalooza will be held, qualify to participate because they have a high poverty population.

“For the last three years, we had held it at Warren City Hall, then found that we have a bigger demand out in Mount Clemens,” said Kniespeck. “Last year, we distributed about $78,000 worth of school supplies through the schools and about 1,000 backpacks. This year, in Mount Clemens, we think we’re going to be doing about that or more.”

This year’s Backpackpalooza will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Seminole Academy, 1500 Mulberry Street in Mount Clemens.

Backpacks are full of such school supplies as pencils, eraser caps, crayons, some sort of school box, a zipper bag supply holder, folders and spiral notebooks, a ruler or a protractor. Supplies depend on the grade level of the student.

The free backpacks will be provided to low-income students attending public schools in Southeast Michigan.

To receive a free backpack, parents need to provide valid photo identification and proof of need such as a food assistance program card, a Medicaid card or last year’s free or reduced lunch approval letter.

All backpacks will be first come, first served, and are limited to one per student. Backpacks will be given only to children who are physically present at the event.

This year’s event is sponsored by Operation: Kid Equip, United Healthcare and OKE Financial, a part of Affinity Group Credit Union.

“We primarily focus just on the school needs of student,” said Kniespeck. “So Backpackpalooza and the Teacher’s Annex are our two main programs. The Teacher’s Annex services 125 schools throughout Southeast Michigan, and those are all high-poverty schools. That’s a potential reach of more than 75,000 students.”

Ann Tocco, a fourth-grade teacher at Seminole Academy in the Mount Clemens Community Schools district, said she and her family have saved untold dollars thanks to the Operation: Kid Equip programs. Eligible teachers instruct at a school that has a large percentage of students in the free or reduced lunch program.

Tocco has taught at Seminole for seven years and has been in the Mount Clemens Community Schools for 13 years. “They do ask for a $10 donation each month, but there is a list of 15 different items the teachers get. If you wanted pencils, there are three 10 packs of pencils, so that’s 30 pencils each month.”

During a recent summer annex, Tocco was able to get two magnetic boards for her classroom, each of which would have retailed at around $300.

“There are many fabulous new things each month, too,” said Tocco. “You can walk away with $1,000 worth of supplies for your students. This is the third year I have been able to use the annex, and it helps me each time get supplies for the entire school year; that’s what a fabulous deal it is for me — for me and for my husband. He is so appreciative.”

For more information call (800) 948-3169.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1039.