On Sunday, Aug. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m., Wiscasset school children and their families are invited to the Wiscasset Community Center at 242 Gardiner Road to ‘shop’ for the supplies they will need to begin the new school year. While some items will be sent directly to the schools to greet kids in their classrooms, others will be available for the students to choose at the event. Bring your school logo backpack (if it's not too worn) - or pick up a new one at this event.

Thanks to Wiscasset Ford’s sponsorship, as well as in-kind items and other monetary donations large and small, the Set for Success team is well on its way to fulfilling the supply lists provided by the schools. It’s never too late, however, to donate toward the effort. It’s also never too late to volunteer with the group. The more people involved, the more effective the operation.

While the objective of the August 17 event is to provide supplies, and to celebrate community and its leaders of tomorrow, it is also an opportunity for anyone to check out what support programs are available in the community. Practice riding the school bus, then check out the different community groups—library, dental, healthcare, literacy, and other groups. Children will be able to have their eyes checked, hair cut, choose new-to-them clothes, learn about school activities, select some fresh vegetables at the Help Yourself Shelf booth to take home, play games, and so much more.

Grab lunch at the Lulu the Lunch Wagon where bag lunches are free to children under 18 and available to adults for a nominal fee. An extra added attraction this year is the presence of the Darling’s Ice Cream Truck where for a voluntary donation one can enjoy a sweet delight. Funds go directly to Set for Success to support any needs that might appear during the school year.

New this year to the mix of supporting programs is the addition of the Alfond Grant group. Stop by their booth to learn about the scholarships they provide to Maine children: what they are, who is eligible, and how to apply for them.

Instead of shopping yourself for your child, or to sponsor the cost of a child’s school supplies, or otherwise donate so that Feed Our Scholars/Set for Success can purchase supplies to level the playing field for all students, send a check for whatever you feel comfortable with to St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge Street, Wiscasset, Maine 04578. Please write Set For Success in the memo line.  St. Philip’s Church is a 501(c)(3) organization. 

In-kind donations of supplies are welcome and can be dropped at the Wiscasset branch of the First Bank on Gardiner Rd., the Wiscasset Community Center, First Congregational Church, or St. Philip’s Church. Alternately, check out the Amazon wish list at tinyurl.com/S4S and do your shopping there. Amazon will mail the packages right to St. Philip’s. What could be easier than that? Alternately, download the list and take it with you as you shop for local deals on the supplies.

To find out more about Feed Our Scholar/Set For Success, please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wiscassetfeedourscholars, or our website at https://feedourscholars.wordpress.com/.

Email us at FeedOurScholars@gmail.com or call St. Philip’s Church at 882-7184, leaving a brief message with a call-back name and number, and we will return your call.