Rapid City, SD - Black Hills Federal Credit Union is helping more than 10,000 students head back to school with the supplies they need for a successful school year this August.
Through generous donations from credit union members, the community and area businesses, Black Hills Federal Credit Union was able to distribute more than 100,000 supplies to area schools as part of their 20
th Annual School Supply Drive. Heidi Bulman, business development officer at BHFCU, said those supplies will lessen the financial burden many families in the area face during the back-to-school season.
"Over the past few years, the price of school supplies has skyrocketed, which has made it extremely difficult for families on a tight budget to send their children back to school with all the supplies for a great year," Bulman said. "The School Supply Drive is making it possible for students in 14 communities across Western South Dakota to start the school year with the basic necessities."
BHFCU collected everything from pencils, pens, and backpacks, to compasses and crayons over the past few weeks for the annual Drive. Carol Brown, vice president of marketing and business development at BHFCU, said the credit unions employees dedicate countless hours to counting, sorting and packaging those supplies based on each schools need.
"For the last 20 years, BHFCU has coordinated the School Supply Drive and we plan on doing it for many years to come," Brown said. "We have a vested interest in seeing our children succeed and become the leaders of our community in the future."
Representatives from area schools were on hand to collect their schools individual supplies during BHFCUs "Load the Bus" celebration on Thursday and Friday. Teachers will distribute those supplies in the coming weeks as students head back to school, Bulman said.
