Licorice co., foundation provide free school supplies
The Kids In Need Foundation, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to providing free school supplies to economically disadvantaged school children and under-funded teachers, has received a grant from the American Licorice Company to purchase, ship and distribute approximately 1200 backpacks with school supplies to students at Bear Creek and Juniper Elementary Schools in Bend, and at Metolius Elementary School in Metolius.
American Licorice employee volunteers will deliver backpacks to students’ desks in Bend during the week prior to the first day of school (September 4), and will distribute backpacks to students in Metolius on September 10.
“This grant from American Licorice ensures that many Oregon students will have the essential school supplies they need to help them succeed in the coming year,” said Dave Smith, Executive Director of the Kids In Need Foundation. “These new backpacks filled with supplies will give them confidence on their first day of school.”
This is the second year that the American Licorice Company has made a grant to the Kids In Need Foundation. The family-owned company, makers of the popular Red Vines® twists, is headquartered in Bend, and is one on the nation’s oldest confectionary manufacturers.
“American Licorice is very excited to have the opportunity to give back to the community and provide important resources to children at these Oregon schools,” said John Nelson, Chief Operating Officer at the American Licorice Company.
The backpacks with school supplies will be delivered to students on:
Wednesday, August 29, 4:30PM:
Juniper Elementary
Backpacks will be distributed at a school barbecue prior to the first day of school.
Thursday, August 30, 4:00PM:
Bear Creek Elementary
Backpacks will be distributed at a school barbecue prior to the first day of school.
Monday, September 10:
Metolius Elementary
420 Butte Ave.
Metolius, OR 97741
About the Kids In Need Foundation
The Kids In Need Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization with offices in Dayton, Ohio, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1995, the Foundation’s mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. The Kids In Need National Network of Resource Centers includes 27 facilities where teachers from low-income schools go to obtain free school supplies for their students. In addition, two Kids In Need Teacher Grant programs provide K-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning experiences for students. The Kids In Need Foundation has distributed $400 million in school supplies since its founding, directly benefiting 2.2 million students and 100,000 teachers annually, and has awarded more than $1.3 million in grants to teachers. Kids In Need has received Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating for three consecutive years, indicating that it operates in a fiscally responsible way and outperforms most other charities in America. For more information, visit www.kinf.org. Follow Kids In Need Foundation on Twitter, http://twitter.com/kidsinneed.
About the American Licorice Company
A leader in the manufacturing and marketing of candy products, the American Licorice Company is one of the original licorice manufacturers in the US candy industry. Since its establishment in 1914, American Licorice has brought happiness to consumers with their h their Red Vines®, Sour Punch®, Natural Vines®, Snaps®, and Super Ropes® candy. Additional information is available at www.americanlicorice.com.
