Rigby groups need community help gathering school supplies

It is not even the middle of July yet, so it is hard to imagine thinking about back-to-school shopping. Crown of Life Church and the Jefferson County Pay it Forward in Rigby have already hit the ground running. But the school supplies are not for themselves, they are for families in need as part of the We’ve Got Your Back program.

“We team up with the Rigby community and we gather backpacks and school supplies for children in need,” said Kori Ellis, the outreach coordinator for Crown of Life Church.

The We’ve Got Your Back program has been going on for four years. The program asks for donations of school supplies, such as markers, pencils, pens, crayons and binders.

“This gives them more confidence when they start back to school and they’re completely ready to go,” said Cheryl Hively, a co-founder of Jefferson County Pay it Forward.

Crown of Life Church will be gathering up the supplies and hand delivering them to families in need.

“We identify families who need the help through the school district and other means.” Ellis said.

Jefferson County Pay it Forward will hold a day to distribute the rest of the supplies in mid-August.

“We’re just so grateful for the generosity of the community and how much they step up,” Hively said.

People can drop supplies off at the AWANA center at Crown of Life Church or at the Rigby Police Department anytime before Aug. 10

For more information, people can reach Ellis at 208-557-9089 or Hively at 208-789-8795.