Kim Masanz spoke about the Tools for School event. Linda Yde approached her about providing books for the students as part of the event. Kim gave Rotary a shout-out for the book choices: she told us that the books were good, appropriate age books that kids actually wanted to read. The program served 326 students last year.
A bit of history: Around 1998 an event started focused on free school supplies. Bob Gustafson, a long-time RFHS teacher, was an early proponent of adding free school supplies to a Tuesday community meal. From that start, Bob acted as mentor in 2018 to transfer the event to Kim and others. The first year for Tools for School with Kim and her team was 2019.
Over time, items have been added such as basic dental supplies from Associated Dentists. First National Bank of River Falls has sponsored the shoe giveaway, which has been a 100% success (even students with unusual foot sizes will get shoes, even if it takes special work after the event). Middle school kids got vouchers to get gym clothes printed. Julie Larson does an excellent bag lunch for the event, providing a high-quality lunch for the students.
What happens: students register with a very simple process. Kim emphasized that there are no “do you really need this” questions. After registration, students move to community room with an adult volunteer who engages with the student and make them feel special. Parents stay upstairs while the students and volunteer go downstairs to match each student up with class-specific supplies based on which school, what grade, etc. The focus is on student-specific supplies: backpacks (size varying per kid), supplies for classroom, on to dental area for selection of toothbrush and paste, then on to shoe station to select high-quality shoes with help and fitting from FNBRF volunteer. And of course they can select a book provided by Rotary at a point in the process. Once back upstairs with parents they get their bag lunch, then they are also afforded the opportunity to get connected with resources for those needing help.
The volunteer base was already strong when Kim and team took over. Churches have signup lists for people to volunteer as well as having bins for school supply donations.
Tools for School serves about 300 students per year, with 2022 totaling 326. Kim noted that the program is seeing some effects of inflation. Funding comes from church donations, some from a City grant, and a local foundation. Kim and others look wherever they need to for quantities and bargain prices while maintaining the quality of the supplies they provide. In 2023 the event is 21-22 August.
About the Speaker: Kim Masanz, life long resident of River Falls, serves as coordinator of Tools for School. She has witnessed the importance of this event and its impact on the students served.