FISH gathers school supplies for needy children

It’s that time of year when parents are shopping for school supplies and many are experiencing sticker shock.

Costs can easily add to up to well over a hundred dollars for required materials ranging from crayons and paper to backpacks and calculators.

Some parents can’t afford it, but help is available for them in School Districts 91 and 93 through an organization called FISH. That stands for Friends in Service Here.

“We helped 827 students last year,” FISH official Liz Herrmann said. “It’s a great need and the majority of it will go out in the next four weeks.”

Principals and teachers rely on FISH to provide for their needy students.

“Most of the time parents are very willing to provide as much as they can for their child,” principal Andrea Williams said. “But sometimes they’ll come in and say, ‘I have nothing. Is there anything you can do to help me?’ It’s so great to be able to tell them, yes we can.”

The backpacks full of supplies are delivered anonymously. No one but the teacher and principal knows which students brought their own supplies and which got theirs donated. Teachers say it gives all students the right start to the school year.

“They gain confidence when they have a nice new backpack and nice new pencils and nice new crayons. It helps them feel confident and ready to learn and be successful,” teacher Tawya Scherck said.

Those who want to help out, can mail a contribution to FISH at PO box 2236, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83403, or drop off school supplies at the Community Outreach Center at 3rd and Boulevard weekday mornings Monday through Friday.