The Start Strong School Supply program was established in 2020 as a collaboration between Community Cares Group and Kiwanis of Oswego to provide back-to-school supplies for students in the community. We had originally prepared to hand out almost 400 backpacks of supplies on August 6, 2021. Two days before the distribution, we received almost 500 additional requests from SD308 students. We put out an urgent plea to the community and wow, they delivered! Financial donations and boxes of supplies started pouring in almost immediately. In addition to the dozens of people who donated money or supplies, we extend a heartfelt thanks to the following sponsors: Edward Bugg, Aurora Alderman 9th Ward, Rotary Foundation of Montgomery, IL, Old Second Bank, Earthmover Credit Union, Jim Lombardi Insurance, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, and Kumon Math and Reading Center of Oswego. We also extend a huge thanks to the army of volunteers who joined us in an extremely warm room to sort the supplies and pack the bags.