Ms. Nevada United States will join in a back-to-school drive Saturday at 2 p.m. at Haven United Methodist Church in Winona.
The drive is to help families affected by the July 20 fire that burned down Winona’s lone grocery store, SuperValu.
Sylvia Taylor, Ms. Nevada and a native of Greenwood, said that the drive is meant to collect “things that parents may not be able to buy because they are out of work right now.” The drive will be accepting money, gift cards and any item on the school supplies list posted on Winona school district’s website.
Taylor said she had already wanted to do a back-to-school drive herself. After making a few calls, she discovered that some people were already organizing one, and she joined forces with them. The group is not affiliated with a particular organization; it’s “just people that decided to do something,” Taylor said.
The group has already received large donations of pencils and paper. Now, the main items still needed are hand sanitizer, tissues, disinfecting wipes and plastic zip-lock bags.
Everything collected at the drive will be given directly to families of former SuperValu employees.
The family will come to the church to pick up the items after the drive. Any excess will be given to other families in need in Winona. There is no set end time for the drive, Taylor said. A full list of school supplies needed at Winona schools can be found at www.winonaschools.net.
• Contact Chloe Ricks at 581-7124 or cricks@gwcommonwealth.com.
