In the aftermath of the April 27th tornado, many entities formed a partnership with the goal of providing Tuscaloosa City and County students with backpacks and school supplies. Tuscaloosa’s One Place, Tuscaloosa’s Promise and the Children’s Policy Council joined forces with Tuscaloosa City Schools, Tuscaloosa County Schools, ABC123, Tuscaloosa Life Church, The Salvation Army, University Mall and Citadel Broadcasting to form the Tuscaloosa Backpack Coalition.
Many churches, agencies and community members throughout our area donated time, efforts and supplies to the drive. The backpack distribution was held on July 30th at seven sites across Tuscaloosa. This day consisted of games, food and fun for the children and parents. The coalition was able to provide about 1,500 students with supplies.
University Church of Christ adopted Alberta Elementary and every child received supplies and a backpack. The coalition wrote a grant to the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund to supply children at University Place Elementary, University Place Middle and County School students impacted by the April tornado with their supplies. World Vision adopted Holt Elementary, Holt High, Cottondale Elementary and David-Emerson Middle. This organization provided the students at each of those schools with their supplies and backpack. Sean Wrench, Founder of the Forsaken Generation Project contacted Staples who donated supplies through their Staples for Students Program.
Tuscaloosa has been very blessed by the outpouring of generosity in this time of need from all over the country. We appreciate everyone’s time and energy to make sure the children of Tuscaloosa start back to school with everything they need to succeed this year!!!!
