MVP, MCS’ drive for backpacks, clothes to help students

MADISON – Local students can feel confident and prepared on Aug 1 for the first day of school because of a collaborative project to support children in need.

Madison Visionary Partners or MVP is working with Madison City Schools or MCS for the fifth annual Madison P.A.C.T. or “Partnering for All Children in Town.” “We are asking local partners to help our students in need by providing a backpack with their school supplies and a new outfit and shoes for their return to school,” MVP Executive Director Melanie Thornton.

“We ask that you fill the backpack that you purchased with items off of the school supply list and also provide an outfit and pair of shoes for each student. Lots of our partners use reusable bags for the clothes/shoes,” Project Coordinator Melissa Davison.

Currently, 98 students district-wide are on the list with needs for starting school.

School supply lists are available on the first page for Madison P.A.C.T. One list identifies supplies for elementary grades, and another shows needs for middle and high-school students.

To choose individual student(s) to support, visit signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49ACAF22ABF4C70-50037433-support#/. Or, visit mvpmadison.org, select the Madison P.A.C.T. option, and click the link for signupgenius.com.

Donors can review the list of 98 students, who are identified as “Angel 1,” “Angel 2,” etc., along with their gender and school grade. The list includes the specific needs for an ‘angel.’

For example, Angel 2, a girl who is a junior, needs “Size (Women’s Medium 8/10, Shoes (Women’s 8), Color (Black)”; and Angel 14, a girl in third grade, needs “Size (Girl XL 14/16), Shoe (5), Color (Pink).”

For correct distribution, the donor needs to label each backpack with the Angel’s number.

Dropoff times and locations for contributions will be July 28 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Madison Public Library’s back patio, 142 Plaza Blvd. and on July 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Madison Pre-Kindergarten Center, 4976 Wall Triana.

For any questions, contact Davison by calling 256-384-3763 or email melissa@mvpmadison.org or Lee Shaw by calling 256-783-8886 or email lshaw@madisoncity.k12.al.us. (Shaw is Development Coordinator for Madison City Schools.)

MVP is a community nonprofit founded in 2014 by community and business leaders to spearhead projects and initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Madison. The 501(c)3 organization is apolitical and governed by a board of directors.

MVP’s office address is 103 Spenryn Drive in Madison. For more information, call 256-384-4358, email info@mvpmadison.org or visit mvpmadison.org or Facebook/MVP Madison Visionary Partners.