School Supply Give-Away Scheduled
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On Wednesday, July 26, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. First Bank of Montana and Crystal Stepper State Farm Insurance are hosting a School Supply Giveaway at 337 Indiana Street in Chinook, Montana.
Although July might feel premature for a community to start thinking about back-to-school, retail outlets have already been setting up displays, so ready or not, school starts next month. In that spirit, two local businesswomen decided to provide school supplies to K-6 graders in Blaine County. Supplies will be distributed from the First Bank of Montana location in Chinook on Wednesday evening until the collected supplies are depleted.
When asked about their inspiration for the idea, First Bank Branch President in Chinook, Jessica Aberg explained that their sister branch in Lewistown has been distributing school supplies “successfully and with great community response” for several years to Fergus County residents. She wanted to do something similar here.
In previous years, Crystal Stepper at State Farm has conducted school supply giveaways on a smaller scale, so Aberg called her and asked whether she would be interested in partnering with First Bank on this community service project. An affirmative response set the joint venture in motion. Aberg secured lists from area teachers and then ordered supplies from those lists. These are age/grade appropriate supplies that Aberg called the “basics for each grade,” stressing that the bags are not intended to have everything students will need. The cost of the supplies will be split between the two businesses.
About the giveaway, Stepper stated: “I was happy to collaborate with First Bank on this project since together we should be able to meet the needs of more community members.”
Aberg added: “I’m hoping we can lift some of the financial burden on parents and get children excited for school.”
Once the supplies arrived, a group of bank and insurance company employees stuffed the backpacks with the essential supplies. On the evening of July 26, First Bank will play host to families and students who are encouraged to come in and receive their backpacks. Various stations set up around the bank will correspond to the different grade levels.
“We would prefer that the students themselves come in to pick up their backpacks,” Aberg said; “but that’s not a requirement.”
This is the first year in which the two businesses together will host the School Supply Giveaway. They hope to make it an annual event.
