The community helps foster children in the area get school supplies

Linn County, Iowa – A lot of kids look forward to going back to school. For some, it can be a time of stress and worry. A Back-to-School Rally put together by Families Helping Families of Iowa is a big step toward making foster kids in the area feel better about that.

“We depend on community members and businesses and individuals to collect school supplies for us. We’re still in need of a lot of school supplies because this is our second-biggest event of the year,” said Families Helping Families of Iowa Executive Director Vonda Conway.

The non-profit helps foster children all year by giving them services and school materials that will help them do well in and out of school. But the numbers behind this particular project are what make it so big.

“On average kids in foster care move about 3 times per year, so what happens is they’re being moved a lot, it’s a traumatic experience for them, they’re going to new homes, new surroundings, new families, so they end up falling behind in school,” said Conway.

One business in the area that wants to help with that is Ohnward Bank & Trust. At both their Marion and Cedar Rapids locations, they’ve been getting a lot of gifts of food and money for the past three years, and this year is no different.

“We’ve, so far, done a good job, we’ve actually raised over $500 from our customers and staff here,” said Maria Johnson with Ohnward Bank Shares.

The Ohnward Bank & Trust is collecting rulers and calculators this year. The nonprofit is also collecting backpacks and other school materials.

“It’s a great nonprofit that does wonderful work for those in need in the community. Children are a really great resource in our community, foster kid need help, and we see that as a resource we can help with,” said Johnson.