In the midst of all the turmoil in the world right now, you may have forgotten that school is just around the corner. This is the third year that the Daily Kos community has been sending school supplies for kids served by the Okiciyap food pantry on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
They have really, really counted on our donations to prepare the kids for back-to-school.
Okiciyap means "we help" in Lakota. The whole name of the organization is Okiciyap the Isabel Community, or OTIC.
This year, we have gotten a bit of a late start and have relatively little time to get supplies to the children of Cheyenne River. Okiciyap has already received a couple of large shipments from at least one Kossack (I think I know one of you, and thank you very much to anyone who has already sent supplies! They have gotten at least 3 shipments from Kossacks, one today). They were a little anxious since we were so late in starting the drive, but the auto shippers got a head start on us!
In fact, here are a couple of kids wearing their backpacks with supplies (posted with permission):
Here are some early thank yous from parents (posted on their Facebook page):
thank you guys soo much Camden was super excited to show me his "cool stuff for school"
Wesley says thank you all for the school supplies
Would like to thank all the Ladies who work hard to get school supplies for our school children who don't have much here on the reservation...... so a special Thank You goes out to the Ladies who work at the Isabel Food Pantry just want you to know you are greatly appreciated in all you do
Warms my heart already.
For several logistical reasons, this year it's better to send the supplies that they have requested than to send money; due to a paperwork error they have temporarily lost their 501c3 status. So, just supplies until they complete the process of getting reinstated.
Since we started the school supply drive in 2012, you have helped 179 students. This year they hope to serve the same student population in Isabel and surrounding towns as before.
So the process is simple. Take a look at their wish list below and let us know what you can send so we can keep track of what they're getting. Last year they had some things left over, so the list this year is not as large as it was in 2013.
I don't know about you, but thinking about something as simple and necessary as school supplies and the impact this makes on the kids' lives makes me feel more grounded after the recent pile up of so many disturbing national and international events.
• Wide Ruled note books
• College ruled notebooks (1,3 and 5 subject)
• 24 pack crayons
• Red pens
• Colored pens (not red, blue or black)
• Washable markers
• Dry erase markers (blue red black)
• Highlighter markers (any colors)
• Kid scissors blunt or pointed
• 100 ct. index cards
• Pencil bags or boxes
• Pink erasers
• Elmer’s glue
• Glue sticks
• 2 pocket folders
• ½“ 3 ring binders
• Zipper binders
• Children’s and Adult socks & undies for both boys & girls.
• Backpacks (with or without laptop section)
• USB drives for the High School students
Some online sources for school supplies (thanks for the suggestion everybody to add DesertGuy's list from last year):
Amazon
Overstock.com
eBags
Discount School Supply
Costco
BagsinBulk (backpacks)
Made-in-America by Union Workers, a source for backpacks
Don't forget about eBay! Last year Asam donated a large quantity of calculators and other items because they are cheap and easy to get on eBay. Thanks for both the donation and the suggestion!
Many, many thanks for your generous participation!
Also, there are now enough staff in the pantry to receive supplies, so send them directly to the trailer:
Okiciyap
309 N. Wilson Ave.
Isabel SD 57633.
Just a few updates on Okiciyap development: despite some bookkeeping problems the pantry continues to distribute food and is now in the process of developing some health- and youth-related programs. They had a diabetes educator give a talk a few weeks ago, youth development activities are happening, and other health education activities are planned.
Thank you everyone!
By the way, ONE QUARTER of all families in the U.S. are now using food pantries. Something is distinctly wrong across the country, not just in Ferguson or on the Reservations.