Still two weeks left in Mid Oregon Credit Union’s annual, month-long ‘Supplies 4 Schools’ fundraiser

(Update: Adding video, comments from Mid Oregon Credit Union)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hundreds of Central Oregon students won't have to worry about getting supplies for the new school year. Mid Oregon Credit Union, in partnership with the Family Access Network, is holding its annual Supplies 4 Schools drive throughout the month of August.

For over two decades, Mid Oregon members have generously supported Central Oregon K-12 students to get a good start on the school year with the supplies and tools they need to be successful.

"Last year, we connected 1,741 students to school supplies, and this could be a variety of items which are on our school supply wish lists," FAN's stewardship coordinator, Kai Myers, said Monday.

All this month, Mid Oregon is collecting school supplies and financial donations from members and the community at its seven branch locations in Bend, La Pine, Madras, Redmond, Prineville, and Sisters. Interested members and non-members can also donate online using their debit or credit cards by visiting the Supplies 4 Schools page at midoregon.com.

“FAN is an amazing organization that helps kids stay in school by removing barriers and helping meet their family’s basic needs,” says Kyle Frick, VP of Marketing and Community Relations for Mid Oregon Credit Union. “We are proud to partner with our community to collect school supplies to support the work of FAN in Central Oregon school districts for over 20 years!”

Myers said, "It's the most important time of the school year for students, to set them up. I mean, what if you 'fall back' in that first month of the year? Sometimes it feels like a hole that you can never climb out of."

Supplies 4 Schools donations stay in the local communities where they are collected. Mid Oregon partners with local FAN advocates and school districts to distribute supplies to students in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties who lack the necessities, especially as classroom needs have changed.

Mid Oregon Marketing and Community Engagement Specialist Stephanie Curtis said, "What's really great is that all of the donations stay in the community where they were collected. So if somebody is really partial to bringing in supplies that are just going to benefit those kiddos, and that's where they stay."

FAN Community Outreach Coordinator Kelsey Seymour said, “We see an ever-increasing need for modern school items like headphones and water bottles, as well as classic items such as notebooks and backpacks. These essential items are key for students to fully engage in their education. The school supplies donated by community drives, like Supplies 4 Schools allow every student the chance to come to school ready to learn."

Curtis said, "Our members have just been amazing. I mean, they suit up, they show up and they bring those supplies and those cash donations."

Branch Manager and commercial loan officer Tina Amato said, "It really decreases barriers that students have. It takes the pressure off of the families that are trying to buy all of these things, especially right now, when supplies are such be coming more expensive."

The most-needed items for the 2024-25 school year include water bottles, backpacks (all sizes), headphones, mechanical pencils and lead, 3-inch binders, college-ruled spiral notebooks, pencil pouches and highlighters.

Family Access Network (FAN) offers assistance, possibility, and hope to Central Oregon families in need by connecting them with crucial resources to help children flourish in school and life. FAN is unique to Central Oregon, located in nearly all public schools across Central Oregon. Working through a dedicated FAN advocate, a child or parent is connected to essential services such as food, shelter, heating, health care, clothing, and more. Learn more at familyaccessnetwork.org.