Make a Difference This Back-to-School Season: Feed Futures with House of Mercy!
The bell will soon ring, signaling the start of a new school year, and for many families, this can be a time of immense stress. Here at House of Mercy, we believe every child deserves a strong start, fully equipped to learn and thrive. That’s why our annual Back-to-School program is so vital, and we’re reaching out to you, our incredible community, to make it our most impactful year yet!
Imagine the smile on a child’s face as they receive a brand new backpack, brimming with the supplies they need to succeed, and even new shoes and underwear. For many of the children we serve, these essentials are a luxury, not a given. We aim to support 600 children this back-to-school season. On average, it costs approximately $260 to fully stock a student for the new school year, including these crucial items.
This isn’t just about providing supplies; it’s about feeding futures. Our Back-to-School program is an essential extension of the comprehensive support we offer to our clients. Currently, our client registry includes a significant number of children who are regularly served through our food pantry and thrift store. We not only feed and clothe them, but through programs like this, we empower them to achieve their academic potential.
Last year, with the incredible support of our community, we saw the tangible impact of our efforts:
- We served 174 families and 391 children.
- Total School Supplies Distributed:
- 217 Binders
- 782 Folders
- 1014 Notebooks
- 494 Packs of Paper
- 9228 #2 Pencils
- 7058 Erasers
- 4340 Pens
- 2960 Highlighters
- 827 Boxes of Markers
- 924 Boxes of Crayons
- 756 Boxes of Colored Pencils
- 391 Scissors
- 2683 Glue Sticks
- 391 Rulers
- 217 Protractors
- 381 Backpacks
- 380 Pairs of Shoes
- 3880 Pairs of Socks
- 160 Packs of Underwear
- $525 in Gift Cards
- Partnerships that Made a Difference: We were blessed with more than 20 partners who generously donated all the school supplies, shoes, backpacks, underwear, and socks we distributed. This incredible collaboration saved our client families a staggering $110,995.71 on school supplies, which is $637 per household!
The impact of these donations goes far beyond the monetary value. Hear it directly from our clients:
- “Thank you for the shoes!!” – Emily, 4th Grade (Emily’s mom shared that this was Emily’s first new pair of shoes, as she’d always worn her sister’s hand-me-downs. Emily was overjoyed with the new shoes and so excited that they were Barbie pink!)
- “Ahhhhh, they have a Batman backpack! I’ve always wanted one!” – Ben, 3rd Grade (Ben’s mom noted that although she had thrifted a black backpack for him last year, he was disappointed for not having a “cool” one like the other kids. She was grateful that this year he not only received a brand new backpack but also got to choose it himself.)
- “Thank you for the calculator! You never know how God will work things out; you just have to trust. House of Mercy has been such blessing to my family.” – Parent of Two High School Students (A parent reached out needing a Ti-84 Calculator after their daughter tested into honors. Thanks to a generous donor, they received the calculator and she was able to enroll in the class.)
This year, we’re asking for your help to make an even greater impact.
We invite you to make the pitch to your jobs, businesses, organizations, or social groups to join us in sponsoring our Back-to-School programs! Your sponsorship, no matter the size, directly contributes to equipping a child for success, relieving a significant financial burden for their family, and fostering a sense of dignity and hope.
Can’t offer financial sponsorship? Your time is just as valuable!
Our mission to serve those facing financial difficulties relies heavily on the dedication of our volunteers. Last year, 68 dedicated volunteers gave over 345 hours of their time. From scheduling and sorting supplies to event setup and assisting clients, their hard work was crucial to our event’s success and made a significant impact on those we serve. If you are unable to provide financial sponsorship, we would be thrilled to welcome you as a volunteer.
Ready to help us feed futures and empower children?
Please contact Rebecca by visiting our link HERE to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how your contribution can transform a child’s school year. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of children and their families.