Michiana organizations help provide back-to-school necessities
Michiana organizations help provide back-to-school necessities Save Email Print
Posted: 7:27 PM Aug 11, 2008
Last Updated: 2:26 AM Aug 12, 2008
Reporter: Nick McGurk

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South Bend kicks off the new school year Tuesday, so students were busy Monday getting those back-to-school necessities, like notebooks, clothes, and haircuts.

But those back-to-school staples come with a cost, which is why some people around Michiana are pitching in to help.

It's the last step of summer: sitting down to get your hair styled before that first day of school, and many girls did just that at Reality Hair Concepts.

And with many looking for areas to cut cost, it doesn't hurt that these hair styles are free.

Across the street at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, it's the boys' turn. They also lined up for free haircuts Monday.

Others waited for notebooks and about 300 backpacks -- which were all gone by early afternoon.

"A lot of parents were angry because they weren't able to get the services they came for, but we only had a limited amount," explained Henry Davis Jr. of the South Bend Common Council.

But it's not just parents who foot the bill for back-to-school supplies.

Yvonne Kinney is a second grade teacher.

She spent about $100 of her own money just getting ready for school.

Regardless of the cost, teachers like Kinney are busy prepping for classes to start.

And students like Arsha Irby are getting their hair styled for the first time.

On Tuesday, many girls and boys will walk into school, ready to show off their hair and kick off the year.

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Posted by: michelle Location: hampton.va. on Aug 15, 2008 at 11:56 PM
I am a mother with two boys. Thier fater is back and forth in an out of jail. I dont have enough money to get clothes, shoes, or bookbags. Everything I earn is just enough to make ends meet. They dont even have a good bed to sleep in.I am totaly telling the heart felt truth.I have been to social services but I dont quilifey for a check or anything. I do have housing but I still dont have anything for my boys.It really makes me feel less than a person because I cant ever take my boys to do anything special. This is thier first year in middle school and they dont have one thing to start school I feel awful Please help me.

Posted by: Hope Location: SB on Aug 12, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Give me a break - a lot of parents were angry. Plan ahead a little better. There have been sales for weeks - go to Goodwill or Salvation Army - or do they have to brand new. I have found amazing deals at Goodwill and dollar stores. No they aren't fancy but they do the job. It truly boils my blood when I hear people get "angry" because the gimmes were gone. Get a life and get a job!!


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