Minneapolis can support local kids through school supply drive

MEDIA ALERT

St. Paul-area Allstate agency owners rally community to equip teachers and students for a successful school year by hosting back-to-school supply drive through August 24

WHAT: St. Paul-area Allstate agency owners are calling on area residents to help students and teachers start the school year off right by donating much-needed school supplies to benefit Johnson Aerospace & Engineering High School through August 24. The most needed items include black/blue pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, pencil cases, washable markers, erasers, highlighters, scissors, notebooks, folders, 3-ring binders, glue sticks, Post-its, staples, tissues, Scotch tape, construction paper and papers clips. More information can be found on the drive website: https://conta.cc/2LXaK20.

St. Paul community members can drop off new school supplies at the following Allstate locations:

Apple Valley

• September Kruse: 15050 Cedar Ave., Suite 108, Apple Valley

Bloomington

• Heather Kinney: 9354 Ensign Ave. S, Bloomington

Coon Rapids

• Dave Curtis: 9920 Foley Blvd. NW, Suite 150, Coon Rapids

Eagan

• Mark Brodin: 3460 Washington Drive, Suite 105, Eagan

Golden Valley

• Paul Nelson: 5801 Duluth St., Suite 102, Golden Valley

Oakdale

• Kristine Kiefer-Vik: 5701 Hadley Ave., Oakdale

Roseville

• Melinda Pearson: 2585 Hamline Ave. N., Suite F, Roseville

St. Paul

• Chris Okeleye: 1854 Grand Ave., St. Paul

WHY: The school supply drive is part of a multi-state initiative of Allstate Foundation Good Starts Young® and its national youth empowerment partner, WE Charity to ensure students start school with the tools they need to succeed. The effort will also empower educators to focus on preparing for the academic year instead of worrying about critical supply needs. Each year, public school teachers spend nearly $500 of their own wages on supplies for their classrooms, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Through their volunteer efforts, the Allstate agency force can earn an Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grant for participating schools and youth groups to help young people achieve success in and out of the classroom.

Each year, thousands of organizations receive Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grants, earned by Allstate volunteers for the nonprofits where they donate time and services. The grants empower organizations addressing youth empowerment, domestic violence, disaster preparedness and other causes essential to their local communities.

Good Starts Young is The Allstate Foundation’s initiative to help young people build life skills, excel academically, get ready for the workplace and become engaged citizens by volunteering in their communities. Each year Allstate Foundation Good Starts Young provides more than 5 million youth with tools and resources that empower them with social emotional learning (SEL) skills – critical thinking, collaboration, cultural awareness and communication – so they can take action.

WHEN: Monday, August 13 through Friday, August 24

NOTE: Interviews with Allstate volunteers are available. Please call Alyssa Paldo at 312-558-1770 or email [email protected] to coordinate interviews.

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