PENINSULA – After hearing the call of local students in need, members of the community have come through once more to ensure a good start to the school year for Peninsula kids.

Last week, the Chinook Observer reported a shortage of supplies available to children of low-income families on the Peninsula. Free school supplies had been made available locally in limited quantities by the Coastal Community Action Council of Aberdeen and the ReachOut Food Bank of Ocean Park, but over 250 students were left without.

To right this problem, the community came forth with donation after donation – over 50 people brought in bags and boxes full of supplies, and over $1,500 in checks and cash was given toward the cause. The generosity of the community will ensure that these students will not go without to start the year.

“As a district we’re immensely gratified with the contribution of the community,” said Ocean Beach School District Superintendent Rainer Houser Tuesday. “From my perspective, it was an overwhelming effort. To get that much response shows that the community really cares about our kids and schools and we’re very greatful for that.”

The Observer, which served as the drop-off site, will be organizing the donated supplies – and purchasing whatever else is necessary with the donated money – and making up individual bags of supplies for students, organized by grade, which will be given to the ReachOut Food Bank for distribution beginning Tuesday Aug. 30 for those who have already signed up. The food bank will be open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Whatever supplies are left after this distribution will be available for pick-up at the Observer office after Aug. 31. Those who have yet to sign up for free supplies can contact the Observer at 642-8181.

Donations dropped off at the Pacific County Fire District No. 1 station in Ocean Park will also be part of the lot given to local kids. Additionally, Ocean Park School Principal Bette Arne noted that the Ocean Beach School Foundation received a donation of over $200 to help cover the cost of the weekly reader program at the schools.

For more information on distribution from the ReachOut Food Bank, call Patty at the ReachOut 665-6567 or call Marlene at the Chinook Observer at 642-8181.