Jackson County United Way plans to conduct the seventh annual Rock’n Ready school supply distribution despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Several changes to the distribution process were announced Tuesday.
Backpacks prefilled with school supplies will be distributed at Brownstown Central Middle School and Seymour High School on Saturday in a drive-thru setting, similar to how lunches were distributed when schools were closed because of the pandemic.
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Registered families will receive a postcard prior to the event with the time they may pick up supplies and must arrive at their designated time and present the card at the time of sign-in.
Medora students will receive their supplies on the first day of school Aug. 10, and those registered in Crothersville will be contacted to set up an appointment to pick up their backpacks at the Crothersville Library.
Bonita Dobbs, program manager for JCUW, said registration has increased this year with around 900 children already signed up.
“We anticipate adding about 300 students as walk-ins during the events,” she said. “These families will receive supplies on a first-come, first-served basis between 1 and 2 p.m.”
Last year’s program served 1,079 students throughout the county.
All of the supplies are donated through the Stuff the Bus campaign and collection boxes placed in the community or purchased with monetary donations and proceeds from the annual Rock’n Run.
Rock’n Ready is sponsored by local businesses, such as German American Bank, Beacon Credit Union, Big O Tires of Seymour, Cummins and the Glick Family Foundation.
Julia Aker, director of the Jackson County Public Library, along with Myra Mellencamp, property manager at Jamestown Apartments in Seymour, are co-chairs for the Rock’n Ready supply drive for the fourth year.
Aker voiced her support for the program in these trying times.
“Rock’n Ready is my favorite community program,” she said. “Support of the program is even more important this year with Indiana having its highest unemployment since 1982 due to COVID-19.”
Mellencamp echoed her sentiment.
“While there are many uncertain things at this time, the Rock’n Ready committee wants families to know we will be there for them this year as we have been for the past several years,” she said.
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What: Jackson County United Way Rock’n Ready school supply distribution
Where: Seymour High School and Brownstown Central Middle School
When: Saturday; walk-ins welcome from 1 to 2 p.m. only at SHS and from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at BCMS
Students will receive a backpack prefilled with school supplies in a drive-thru process.
Registered families will receive a postcard prior to the event with the time they may pick up supplies and must arrive at their designated time and present the card at the time of sign-in.
Medora students will receive their supplies on the first day of school Aug. 10.
Registered students in Crothersville will be contacted to set up an appointment to pick up their backpacks at the Crothersville Library.
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