Registration now open for Project Fresh Start school supply program

By Patrick Lynn

Registration is open for Project Fresh Start.

The annual school supply drive provides, free of charge, school supplies to students who qualify for free or reduced-cost school lunches.

Project Fresh Start is a volunteer program through the United Way of Portage County.

Distribution returns to an in-person event this year, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 20 at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School, 2400 Main St. Families who need the supplies must register in advance—unless their student(s) is at Head Start or attending school in Almond-Bancroft, where students will receive supplies directly through their schools.

Registration is open through Friday, July 29 for any 4K-12 student enrolled in a Portage Co. school. The link to online registration and printable registration forms can be found at www.volunteersrock.org/pfs.

According to the United Way of Portage County, more than 3,000 students in Portage County will be eligible to receive supplies this year. Last year Project Fresh Start served more than 1,050 local students.

Contact the United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center at 715-341-6740 or [email protected] for more information.