COUNCIL BLUFFS — Every year, Kiwanis of Council Bluffs donates 100 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Council Bluffs school district.
"We know the poverty level in Council Bluffs meant some kids do not have the supplies they need for school, so this helps the children of the community. That's what Kiwanis is all about," Jan Anunson said. Anunson is a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and is lieutenant governor for Division 17.
This year, Kiwanis volunteers got together on Sept. 2 to fill the backpacks.
While the school year started in August, "There's a need throughout the year, and I'm sad we can't do this more than once a year," Anunson said.
Council Bluffs school district spokeswoman Diane Ostrowski said the donations are appreciated.
"We have a continued need for supplies throughout the year as new students move into the district and as supplies are depleted. We will be able to give students a backpack that is ready to go when they arrive in the district after the school year begins. Community members who step up to help truly make a positive difference in our classrooms," Ostrowski said.
The Kiwanis Club began filling the backpacks and giving them to the school district three years ago.
What goes into the backpacks? It depends on the grade level, said Orville Miller, Kiwanis president, but supplies generally include "pencils, crayons, spiral notebooks, binders." The backpacks and supplies go to students from kindergarten through fifth grade, and all schools received at least one backpack for each grade level.
About 17 members got together to load the backpacks this year.
"We make it a social evening," Miller said.
The Kiwanis Club fulfills its mission of serving children through two approaches: by improving the quality of life directly through activities promoting health and education and by encouraging leadership and service among youth.
According to Kiwanian and Council Bluffs school board member Glen Mitchell, the local club raises funds through events like spaghetti dinners and pancake feeds so it can fund projects that directly benefit children.
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