At the Samaritan Center, we believe in helping children start the year off right. Many families in our service area struggle with rent and basic needs. It is staggering when you add the cost of school supplies to an already strained budget. Stock Their Lockers program helps make sure children have the supplies they need to succeed in school. This is a program geared towards families in Eastern Hamilton County with children in grades K-12.

Families in our service area (see list below) who request assistance, undergo a complete financial evaluation to determine eligibility for the program. If they are eligible, they are invited back to shop in a room specially designed and set up as a school supply store. Then with the help of a volunteer, they go through and shop from their school supply list. By the time the day is over, they have brand-new supplies in hand to start the school year off right.

During their shopping experience, students pick out what notebooks they want, the color or style of their new backpack, new socks, toiletries, new underwear, and so much more.

SERVICE AREA ZIP CODES

37302 – Apison

37308 – Birchwood

37315 – Collegedale

37421 – East Brainerd/Tyner

37336 – Georgetown

37341 – Harrison

37416 – Highway 58/Bonny Oaks

37353 – McDonald

37363 – Ooltewah


WHY WE HELP

Did you know that the average cost for parents to spend each year on grades K-12 school supplies is $600 per student?

For families who are struggling with rent and basic household needs, this is a lot of money. This means that many of these children will start the school year without the proper tools for success. Last year the Samaritan Center gave away more than $106,000 in school supplies.

After three years of Covid adjustments to the program, we are back to offering our local students an in-house school supply shopping experience.


HOW YOU CAN HELP

During Stock Their Lockers, individuals in our community collect new backpacks, pencils, paper, crayons, glue sticks, and other school supplies and donate them to the Center.

Monetary donations given by community members for Stock Their Lockers go toward funding items that have not come in during collection drives. If you would like to give financial support, stop by during office hours to donate by check, cash, or credit card.


BARREL DRIVE HOST

As a barrel host, you play a role in helping a student prepare for school by hosting a barrel in your place of business or worship. The Samaritan Center will drop off the barrel and pick it up; all you have to do is host and share with the community.

To learn more about how you can become involved with Stock Their Lockers, contact Brandi Dixon at  423.238.7777 ext. 20, or by email: brandidixon@thesamaritancenter.net.

Our current donation sites for Stock Their Lockers. Thank you so much for the following barrel partners.


GIVING BY QR 

Scan the blue QR code to see the Stock Their Lockers Amazon Wishlist or scan the red QR code to give financially. As always, you are more than welcome to visit us during office hours.

Amazon Wish List (click for link)

Paypal Donation (click for link)


NEEDS LIST:

Blue ink pens
Sharpies
Permanent markers
Cap erasers
#2 loose pencils
Index cards (lined and unlined)
Band-aids
Pencil sharpeners (also primary pencil sharperners)
Rulers
Zippered pencil pouches
Paper towels
Jump drives
Marbled journals (college-rule)
Teen backpacks
And anything else school related


ADDRESS: The Samaritan Center | 9231 Lee Highway | Ooltewah, TN 37363

(423) 238-7777