Parents can get help with school supplies

    YATES COUNTY (Aug. 14, 2012)—The cost of school supplies can quickly add up for a parent as teachers require multiple notebooks, folders and pens for each student.
    However, there is help. In Yates County, Milly’s Pantry organizes a program to get supplies to families in need. The school supplies will be distributed this year in Penn Yan on Tuesday, Aug. 21, and in Dundee on Thursday, Aug. 23.  Preregistration is recommended. Forms are available at the schools, Milly’s Pantry, or the Dundee Area Youth Center. Parents can call the Pinwheel Market at Milly’s Pantry for more, 315-694-7350.
    Organizer Carolyn Schaeffer explained the school supplies program is open to all students in Yates County, pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. She added there are no eligibility requirements, but parents are asked to pre-register before the distribution dates. Walk-ins are welcome, though.
    Schaeffer said the Penn Yan site will be the elementary cafeteria, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dundee’s will be held in the district’s public meeting room, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    A plastic bag containing that student’s supplies, as required by the teacher, will be automatically ready for pick-up if a parent has pre-registered. Schaeffer added the student will then be able to select a backpack and high school students will also be given a USB flash drive.
    Schaeffer said parents who don’t register will have to wait while the supplies are gathered from the teacher’s list. Pre-registered supplies can also be given to the student on the first day of school if parents can’t make the distribution dates.
    Schaeffer explained Milly’s Pantry offers the program so “children can start (the school year) ready for success.”