The Salvation Army of Mesquite has started their “Back to School Buddies” campaign for 2017. People who need help providing school supplies for their children in grades K-12 can call (702) 345-5116 for more information regarding program requirements.

Major Lisa Smith, Director of the Mesquite Salvation Army is also asking for assistance from the community. “Buying school supplies can be a hardship for families where the parents are only making minimum wage, especially if they have more than one child in school. Cooling bills increase and with the children at home, more money is spent on feeding them, so many people find themselves coming up short in August. And when young people don’t have the basic tools for school, their chances of success in the classroom are diminished.”  Major Smith is asking for community assistance so that The Salvation Army can meet this need by donating school supplies such as pencils, pens, folders, glue and scissors. Monetary donations are appreciated as well so Salvation Army staff can purchase what hasn’t been donated. Smith also states that volunteers are needed to fill backpacks with supplies prior to distribution. “We helped 140 children with supplies in 2016. I am expecting to help more in 2017, so the community’s contributions are needed and appreciated.”