Josh Elbert and Shane Cunningham hope to ease some of the back-to-school expense for struggling families at Jackson Elementary School.
Medford State Farm agents will accept donations of school supplies through Aug. 25 during business hours, Monday through Friday, at their office, 820 Riverside Ave.
Elbert said the office chose Jackson Elementary because it has a higher percentage of low-income families than most other schools in the Medford School District, and also because he attended the school as a child. Cunningham also has relatives who attend the school.
“This is new for us this year. State Farm is offering us the opportunity to do a school supply drive. They gave us a list and got us started with backpacks,” Elbert said, noting that she coaches volleyball at North Medford High.
“Even though, weather-wise, it feels like summer just started, when I look at my calendar, we’re just a few weeks away from volleyball tryouts and school will be starting before we know it,” she said Elbert.
Agency receptionist Holly Ray, a mother, said she was happy to see the office gathering supplies for families in need.
“The price of everything is so high right now, from gas to housing to groceries. I honestly hope this helps ease the minds of some of these parents, even if it just takes one thing away said Ray.
Items needed include backpacks, pencil cases, pencils, colored pencils, black, red and blue pens, colored pencils, washable markers, pocket folders, scissors, markers, erasers, glue and glue sticks, notebooks (wide-ruled) and padding paper. .
For more information, call the office at 541-772-3040.
