It’s back-to-school shopping season and the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund needs some help.
OCEF, a group formed by members of area churches and the community, is collecting donated school supplies to distribute to families.
‘When families visit our food pantry, I ask them if they need school supplies,? said Judy Henley, St. Anne’s Christian Service Coordinator. ‘We usually help around 60 families every year (with school supplies).?
The amount of supplies available depends solely on how much is donated.
‘We accept everything, and people are very generous,? said Henley. ‘We need back packs, pencils, pens, colored pencils, markers, crayons, notebooks, folders, rulers, glue, scissors and binders.?
OCEF also accepts gift cards to help the families buy shoes and clothing.
OCEF school supplies donation has been going on for eight years. With the need for school supplies an annual issue, OCEF leaves nothing to waste.
‘We keep the left-over supplies and distribute them throughout the year,? said Henley.