FOR THE WAUSAU TIMES

In Marathon County, there are over 7,500 students that are *eligible to receive a new, FREE, backpack and common school supplies for the upcoming school year through the Workplace Volunteer Council’s (WVC) signature project – Fill A Backpack Fill A Need (FABFAN).To be *eligible to take part in FABFAN, students must be entering 4K through 8th grade and qualify for free or reduced lunch at school.

Getting ready for FABFAN is a year-round effort! To make it happen, we need ongoing support from our community members, businesses, organizations, and schools – donors, sponsors, collection drive hosts, and volunteers. We need YOU!

How can you help?
• Donate supplies. Donations of backpacks and school supplies can be delivered to any of FABFAN’s Public Collection Sites: AbbyBank, Cloverbelt Credit Union, Health in Motion, Innovative Health, Peoples State Bank, and Prevail Bank.

• Make a monetary donation. We “s-t-r-e-t-c-h” each dollar that is donated. We shop the clearance sales at local stores. We buy in bulk to secure the best prices on the significant quantities of supplies that are needed each year.

• Be a FABFAN sponsor. Three sponsorship levels are available. Each level provides an opportunity for you or your business to be recognized on all materials that are produced. If you choose to be a Gold level sponsor, your logo will also be included.

Gold Sponsor        Silver Sponsor      Bronze Sponsor
$2,000+ donation       $1,000-$1,999 donation        $500-$999 donation

The WVC is coordinating with participating schools topick up their FABFANsupplies. The schools will then distribute FABFAN supplies to their participating students. Schools are currently working on their distribution plans and willupdate families when finalized.

Here are some of the schools and organizations we help: Abbotsford School District, Athens Elementary & Middle School, Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Wisconsin – Wausau office, Colby School District, D.C. Everest Area Schools, Edgar School District, Faith Christian Academy, Marathon School District, Marathon County Social Services, Mosinee School District, Rosholt School District, Newman Catholic Middle School, Salvation Army’s “Tools for School” Program, School District of Spencer, St. Anthony de Padua Catholic School (Athens), St. John the Baptist Catholic School (Edgar), St. Mary’s School (Marathon), St. Mary’s Catholic School (Colby), Stratford School District, Wausau School District, and Wittenberg‐Birnamwood School District

We all know that a bright future starts with a good education. Let’s help our children start the school year with the supplies they need to be successful. We cannot do this without you!

If you have questions about FABFAN, please call Kristina at 715-432-0792 or email Workplace Volunteer Council [email protected].