Has anyone donated items to the school supply donation boxes?

[bijou]

bobbolink  (1000+ posts)       Thu Aug-14-08 03:10 PM
Original message
Has anyone donated items to the school supply donation boxes?
 Advertisements [?]I'm asking because there only seems to be one now in this town, and it's at Walmart.

When I took in a few things, the woman at the door was very pleased.... she said people had only been using it for trash, and I was the first one to actually donate anything.

WHA??????????

I thought this was one thing that people usually donate "liberally" to...?

Have I been mistaken?

In the interest of full disclosure, I have mixed feelings about these..... CHILDREN AND SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE ALL THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES THEY NEED WITHOUT DEPENDING ON CHARITY!

However, since that is not the case, the rest of us need to see to it that the supplies are there.

So, I'm curious.....

 

Hannah Bell (1000+ posts)       Thu Aug-14-08 03:24 PM
Response to Original message
2. yes, they should. & the donation thing adds to walmart's profits.
 thereby supporting a corp which pays wages inadequate to support a family....

which is the root of problem...

vicious circle...
 

send in the clowns  (702 posts)      Thu Aug-14-08 03:27 PM
Response to Original message
3. Part Of The Revolving Door
 A person may give business to the very stores who donate and vote in the ones who cause this hardship in the first place by laying off people,sending jobs overseas,under employing and keeping wages just above starvation level, in some cases.
One the one hand you want to donate to help those who simply cannot afford to supply their kids with what they need. On the other hand every time we donate the idiots who cause this see that once again others are taking care of needs that THEY should be contribute to and they take that money earmarked for schools,supplies etc and spend it on war,other projects to benefit them and or their pockets.

bobbolink  (1000+ posts)       Thu Aug-14-08 08:53 PM
Response to Reply #4
8. Actually, I wasn't asking for advice.
 I simply asked if other people in other places were donating, or if this is something that has ceased.

If I could change or delete the thread now, I would.

I'm beginning to think twice about posting ANYTHING at all about poverty at DU. It just seems to either get ignored or a knee-jerk response.

I'm homeless myself, so I know that people need help for their children. And, for what it's worth to you, there is NO SHELTER in this area. I should have to be explaining that in a thread where I asked a question having to do with what others are donating. Really.

super tetchy

[mamacags]

I just send the stuff straight to school and cut out the middle man.  Then when Operation Shoebox time comes I load up those boxes with school supplies too.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

I just send the stuff straight to school and cut out the middle man.  Then when Operation Shoebox time comes I load up those boxes with school supplies too.

corporate fascist pig!

[Wineslob]

Hannah Bell (1000+ posts)       Thu Aug-14-08 03:24 PM
Response to Original message
2. yes, they should. & the donation thing adds to walmart's profits.
 thereby supporting a corp which pays wages inadequate to support a family....

which is the root of problem...

vicious circle...

You are completely and utterly stupid.

send in the clowns  (702 posts)      Thu Aug-14-08 03:27 PM
Response to Original message
3. Part Of The Revolving Door
 A person may give business to the very stores who donate and vote in the ones who cause this hardship in the first place by laying off people,sending jobs overseas,under employing and keeping wages just above starvation level, in some cases.
One the one hand you want to donate to help those who simply cannot afford to supply their kids with what they need. On the other hand every time we donate the idiots who cause this see that once again others are taking care of needs that THEY should be contribute to and they take that money earmarked for schools,supplies etc and spend it on war,other projects to benefit them and or their pockets.

You are a clown and stupid beyond belief, DUmbass.

For the edifacation of the lurking DUmpmonkiees, our daughter has been in the standard public school system. She is and was from 4th grade on, in the charter school system. No matter what "system" she was/is in we still have to supply most of her "consumables". We spent over $200 last week on said items. We can afford it, but it put a little bit of a financial crimp on us this month. We are not poor. I can imagine that someone in a lesser income bracket would need some help. But noooooooooo you assholes "blame" Walmart for doing something good for the people of the town they do business in.
You people are complete ****tards.  

[Flame]

I bought 25 sprial notebooks for $1.25.  Yeas, you read that right.  $1.25 TOTAL, not each.  I also bought about 10 boxes of crayons for $2 and 10 bottles of glue for $2.   This does not break the bank.  

What irritates me, is t he schools have a list of x,y,z, and then they collect all the stuff from the kids and distribute as needed.  I'd gues only 25% of the kids actually bring stuff in...the teacher and other parents who send in extra make up the difference.

[mamacags]

I bought 25 sprial notebooks for $1.25.  Yeas, you read that right.  $1.25 TOTAL, not each.  I also bought about 10 boxes of crayons for $2 and 10 bottles of glue for $2.   This does not break the bank.  

What irritates me, is t he schools have a list of x,y,z, and then they collect all the stuff from the kids and distribute as needed.  I'd gues only 25% of the kids actually bring stuff in...the teacher and other parents who send in extra make up the difference.

Yep that is why I send a ton of crap in.  I know all about the parents that wouldn't get involved if their lives or their kids lives depended on it.   LIke it is that expensive to buy your kid some freaking yellow #2 pencils!?!?!?  They freaking sell them at the dollar shop!

[Carl]

they take that money earmarked for schools,supplies etc and spend it on war,other projects to benefit them and or their pockets.

BS..what is appropriated in budgets for schools gets spent on schools it doesn`t get diverted.
That is the lottery myth..it doesn`t ever add to education monies it just means less from the general fund gets used to meet the amount budgeted.

[Chris_]

About a month ago the local wal mart had spiral notebooks for a nickel. 5cents each.
Not being a fool I spent $4 and got eighty (80!)
Wal Mart pays HUGE amounts of money into state/local/ and federal taxes which make all the liberal social programs possible. At the Wal Mart here no one earns minimum wage. The least Wal Mart pays here is more than CA minimum wage, which, btw, is higher than the federal minimum wage...

[bijou]

they take that money earmarked for schools,supplies etc and spend it on war,other projects to benefit them and or their pockets.

BS..what is appropriated in budgets for schools gets spent on schools it doesn`t get diverted.
That is the lottery myth..it doesn`t ever add to education monies it just means less from the general fund gets used to meet the amount budgeted.

Carl, you know perfectly well that Cheney personally goes around stealing pencil sharpeners from children to melt down to make weapons.  

[BannedFromDU]

I bought 25 sprial notebooks for $1.25.  Yeas, you read that right.  $1.25 TOTAL, not each.  I also bought about 10 boxes of crayons for $2 and 10 bottles of glue for $2.   This does not break the bank.  

What irritates me, is t he schools have a list of x,y,z, and then they collect all the stuff from the kids and distribute as needed.  I'd gues only 25% of the kids actually bring stuff in...the teacher and other parents who send in extra make up the difference.

Yep that is why I send a ton of crap in.  I know all about the parents that wouldn't get involved if their lives or their kids lives depended on it.   LIke it is that expensive to buy your kid some freaking yellow #2 pencils!?!?!?  They freaking sell them at the dollar shop!

     That is certainly true, though where I live you can donate about $20 to provide a homeless student with a backpack, which is loaded with supplies and a few food and personal items. I go this route, and I donate as many backpacks as I can.

     Keep in mind that while a lot of students' parents try to take a free ride by not sending supplies, there are also homeless children who have very little of anything. It helps a child's confidence and self-esteem to be that much more equipped and prepared to attend school. Homeless children already feel different enough; having the things that other children have helps with that.

     If you have a chance to give in-kind gifts that truly help children, I encourage you to do so.

[BlueStateSaint]

they take that money earmarked for schools,supplies etc and spend it on war,other projects to benefit them and or their pockets.

BS..what is appropriated in budgets for schools gets spent on schools it doesn`t get diverted.
That is the lottery myth..it doesn`t ever add to education monies it just means less from the general fund gets used to meet the amount budgeted.

Carl, you know perfectly well that Cheney personally goes around stealing pencil sharpeners from children to melt down to make weapons.  

Bijou, how many times do I have to warn you about OPSEC?????

[DixieBelle]

Why Rove himself was just lurking in the bushes behind Target today! That rascal was eyeballing my shopping cart. 

Do the DUmmies not realize that in some lower grades, the school supplies on the list are communal? With the exception of notebooks and a few other items, most of what I've been asked to buy goes into the cupboard to use all year round by everyone.

And how does the bobbling primitive donate to charity, own a computer and interent access but yet has nowhere to live??

[bijou]

they take that money earmarked for schools,supplies etc and spend it on war,other projects to benefit them and or their pockets.

BS..what is appropriated in budgets for schools gets spent on schools it doesn`t get diverted.
That is the lottery myth..it doesn`t ever add to education monies it just means less from the general fund gets used to meet the amount budgeted.

Carl, you know perfectly well that Cheney personally goes around stealing pencil sharpeners from children to melt down to make weapons.  

Bijou, how many times do I have to warn you about OPSEC?????

Oops sorry, it just slipped out.   

[delilahmused]

You people really want to give to something worthwhile, try this (CAUTION SHAMELESS MARINE MOM PLUG): http://dvds4vets.org/. You don't even have to be "for" Bush's war of aggression to support this group. You say you support the troops...here's a REAL chance to prove it.

Cindie

[NHSparky]

Good on you, Cindie.  The local VFW chapter gets donations of all sorts of stuff to send over to Iraq and Afghanistan and does a huge shipment at least once a month.

Oh, and DUmmies?  How do I support "da chilluns"?  It's called no kids and $6K in property taxes.

[Lord Undies]

I'm homeless myself, so I know that people need help for their children. And, for what it's worth to you, there is NO SHELTER in this area.

Homeless?  Where is your family?  Where are your friends?  Does your Christian church know about your situation?

I could never see a dollar bill again and I would still be in good hands.  Why are you "homeless"?

[Carl]

I'm homeless myself, so I know that people need help for their children. And, for what it's worth to you, there is NO SHELTER in this area.

Homeless?  Where is your family?  Where are your friends?  Does your Christian church know about your situation?

I could never see a dollar bill again and I would still be in good hands.  Why are you "homeless"?

Because it makes for a good storyline on the island by what evidence I have seen.

[DumbAss Tanker]

I don't recall seeing such boxes around here, though I have bought and dropped holiday food packages in the boxes at the grocery before.  If we are going to require public education, I actually don't have a problem with the idea that minimum necessary supplies should be part of the deal as there are families that can't front it, small as the expense may seem to me...but I believe the schools here cover that already, it's a rural area of small freehold farms, with a definite percentage of families who are in that boat, and the schools are very accommodating in dealing with them and trying to make it work.

[Lord Undies]

We have four children.  We had a kid or kids in school from 1977 until 1998.  I know school supplies.  I know the costs.

We use to buy five additional prepackaged school supply "kits" each year and give them to the elementary school office to give to any child who did not come to school with the proper supplies.  That's not much, but it was something.

I don't think I was the only one doing that.  It wasn't an organized effort.  It was just people being people helping out people.  It's community.

There was resentment on my part in the years when my kids school supplies were confiscated and put into a pile for all to use.  Thankfully, that liberalism crap didn't last long.  Myself and a few other parents put a stop to it.  We got very angry at the fact our kids would come home with some very cheap crap after we had shopped and bought them the good stuff - you, know, what they wanted - and then *poof* it was gone. 

[DumbAss Tanker]

There was resentment on my part in the years when my kids school supplies were confiscated and put into a pile for all to use. 

Now that right there is some crazy shit.   

[DixieBelle]

Yes, Undies that happened to us too. I started buying middle-of-the-road stuff and then a few nicer things for my kiddo with strict instructions that those were "his".

[jtyangel]

I won't do it unless I know of a personal case that needs it. My issue with it is that the school supply lists are RIDICULOUS. The total for my two children(not including their clothes, backpack, and shoes--just school supplies) was 160 bucks(for TWO children). That's exhorborant and I really think some of the costlier items are totally unnecessary and only there to add to the supplies for the teacher for things the school is unwilling to buy ie Kleenex, Purel, disinfecting wipes, Dry erase markers, construction paper,etc. And the child should not have to bring in all of the items for the whole school year at the beginning of the year. That's just ridiculous. A lot more folks could afford it if it was budgeted out and you keep a couple extra things like rulers and crayons handy at the school for the kids whose parents are uninterested and uninvolved. I notice a lot of things in that list that the school also used to provide at one time like construction paper and paper towels(wtf?). Really, these lists are ridiculous and as long as it costs me 80 bucks a pop per kid, I'm afraid I'm not going to be donating to those boxes. The schools and teachers really need to reconsider what is absolutely necessary for the children and scale the list way back.

As an aside, thankfully "most" of my children's school supplies are their own. They are told to mark everything with their name and when I've gone to school their items are in their desks. They share if they want with their friends and such, but no forced confiscation save for things like paper towels and wipes and ziploc bags...they stuff they use through the year for everyone. I would raise cain if I spent 160 bucks and then found out it was to share the expense with everyone else. No, sorry, despite the differences between me and the other half, one thing I'll give him is he works hard to provide for his babies. I'll be damned if his sweat and toil is going involuntarily to provide for the children of a man(or woman) who won't do the same. We will give charity to people we know personally who need it out of a valid need. I know that may be cold, but I'm sick of being leeched on by the schools. When the year geers up we'll be asked for 40-50 more per child for 'consumables'. I'm sorry, but enough is enough.

[jtyangel]

I bought 25 sprial notebooks for $1.25.  Yeas, you read that right.  $1.25 TOTAL, not each.  I also bought about 10 boxes of crayons for $2 and 10 bottles of glue for $2.   This does not break the bank.   

What irritates me, is t he schools have a list of x,y,z, and then they collect all the stuff from the kids and distribute as needed.  I'd gues only 25% of the kids actually bring stuff in...the teacher and other parents who send in extra make up the difference.

Yep that is why I send a ton of crap in.  I know all about the parents that wouldn't get involved if their lives or their kids lives depended on it.   LIke it is that expensive to buy your kid some freaking yellow #2 pencils!?!?!?  They freaking sell them at the dollar shop!

Yeah, I agree with you mama. F*ck off to that bunch too. How can people just ignore their kiddos and not provide for them when here is beyond me.

As a side note, schools are making it more difficult. My son's school demanded 'Ticonderoga' brand pencils...sorry, but they are getting the papermate sale ones. I have no agreement or contract with Ticonderoga that I'm going to pay more then double for the same # of pencils. This is the type of crap they need to stop--the branding and the request for things that should be handled in the school budget. I'm told by someone who works in the schools that some teachers actual have stockpiles of kleenex and such from year to year...

[DixieBelle]

Wow jty that IS a lot! I only spent $49 total and that included a $28 backpack. For fifth grade, they only asked for: spiral notebooks, loose leaf paper, colored pencils, erasers, glue sticks, pencils, and highlighters.

[jtyangel]

Wow jty that IS a lot! I only spent $49 total and that included a $28 backpack. For fifth grade, they only asked for: spiral notebooks, loose leaf paper, colored pencils, erasers, glue sticks, pencils, and highlighters.

I'm going to get my list since my girl is going into 5th grade too...doh! brb and I'll add to this

24 pack colored pencils
pointed sheers(which meant I couldn't get the sale ones )
Roll of scotch tape
glue sticks(Elmer's)
clipboard
supply/pencil bag that can be put in a 3 ring binder(again, not a sale item)
construction paper
No 2 pencils
pencil shapener with end to catch shavings
2 colored highlighters
1 ruler
2 fat tip dry erase markers(has to be bought in a pack)
1 thin tip dry erase marker(ditto)
1 dry erase marker eraser(ditto as above)
permanent ULTRA FINE point black sharpie
permanent FINE point black sharpie
index cards
trapper keeper or similar binder that both zips and closes(at least 8-10 bucks to get one that zips)
6 trapper keeper style folders(ie not the cheap folders )
4 two pocket folders with 3 ring prongs inside(finally a cheap folder)
wide ruled white loose lef notebook paper(i got 3 packs since it is cheapest now)
1 roll of paper towels
 gallon ziploc bags
1 large box of tissues/kleenex
4 book covers
2 AAA batteries(again bought in a pack)

Students are encouraged to bring and use electronic spell check/thesaurus.

That's one kid...because my son is in both a special ed class and regular class, I had to buy DOUBLE of some of his supplies for each class so that figures in on his..his list was a bit longer then hers..I'll post it in a bit