The momentum is building for School is Cool, Colorado State University’s signature outreach effort to provide backpacks filled with school supplies to Poudre School District students.
With the community outreach program set for Aug. 8-10, organizers are looking to raise $50,000 over the next several weeks to provide 2,700 backpacks to PSD students.
Show your support
Community members and organizations can learn more and give by visiting schooliscool.colostate.edu.
“Just $30 pays for a new backpack and all the supplies students need to start the school year with the tools to succeed,” said Maggie Walsh, School is Cool co-chair.
Organizers explained that community support is needed more than ever as many families have still not fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, the program donated 2,729 packs, but the need continues to grow. Current figures from PSD indicate that of the approximately 30,000 students in the district, about 30% are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program. That’s roughly 8,200 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
A donation of $30 roughly fills a backpack with 13 items, ranging from crayons to three-ring binders to paper products to scissors. Items are dependent on the grade level of the student.
“We are very fortunate to partner with the CSU Bookstore, as their contacts allow School is Cool to receive many donated items and we are able to buy in bulk at discounted prices,” Walsh said.
The community outreach program — established by retired CSU employee Kathy Phifer in 1992 — is managed and organized by CSU employees, with funding coming from the University community and the Bohemian Foundation, as well as significant support from the CSU Bookstore.
In addition to donating money, the program annually attracts hundreds of volunteers from CSU – students, faculty, staff and administrators – who give their time to help stuff backpacks and deliver items to PSD schools.
“We have seen tremendous support for volunteers this year,” Walsh said. “We’re now looking to finish strong. In today’s economy, your help has never been more crucial.”
