Children In Need, Inc. Programs:

Back to School Vouchers

Each summer (July & August) CIN gives a voucher to approximately 900 school age children so they can participate in a controlled shopping day. Eligible children are able to purchase a new outfit, shoes, book bag, bras, etc. to start the new school year. Parents or guardians of these children must have visited the Center four times during the school year, September 1 through May 31, and their children must be eligible for the federally funded Free And Reduced Meals program.

Client Monthly Visits

On behalf of their children, clients are eligible to visit the Center once a month (year round) to receive the following items:

Gently used

• Up to 3 tops & 2 bottoms
• 2 coats/ jacket per season (November 1 through February 29)
• 1 Sweater or sweatshirt
• 1 to 2 toys (if available)
• 1 dress (girl) or suit (boys)
• 1 pair shoes (if available)

New

• 1 hat & pair of gloves (November 1 through February 29)
• Toiletries each month.
• 1 pair underwear, 1 pair socks, 1 undershirt (boys only) are given every other month (July, September, November, January, March and May.)

Every child enrolled in Washington County Public Schools and Head Start of Washington County meeting the Free And Reduced Meals program criteria is eligible for services from CIN.

Meal Machine

The Meal Machine is a mobile meals program that delivers and serves free lunch to anyone 18 and under in geographical locations with 51% or more documented free and reduced students. The Meal Machine was created to help eliminate the barriers of children not being able to access school open sites and or community-sponsored programs where a free meal would be available. This program is sponsored by the Washington County Public Schools.

Children In Need, Inc. is located in a geographically appropriate location for the Meal Machine. WCPS staff brings a van with nutritious meals to our site where they serve approximately 100 children per day. The van serves meals Monday through Friday during the summer vacation.

School Supplies

School supplies are given each month. September through May, each family selects 5 items from the school supply room to help a child replace supplies. In July and August each school age child receives 5 items each to assist with their classroom supply list.

Special Requests

Each week Children In Need, Inc. receives 1-3 special requests from school counselors, school pupil/family liaisons, DSS workers, and other local agencies for goods not usually donated to our Center.

Examples of requested goods are:

• size 3X men’s coat for a 14 year old- $24.88
• shoes for a 16 year old boy (his shoes were stolen)- $24.97
• black pants and white shirt to march in the school band- $29.88

These special requests impact whether a child is able to stay involved in everyday school life. Always, the child and his/her family are economically challenged. CIN tries very hard to meet these requests with our limited funds. Needs are also met during family emergencies such as homelessness, domestic violence, fire, etc.

WCPS Support

During the school year, Children In Need, Inc. supplies schools with lice shampoo, school supplies, coats, underwear, socks, and toiletries. These important items put the child back in the classroom as soon as possible, thus furthering Children In Need’s mission to keep children in school learning. CIN works with the WCPS Homeless Coordinator to provide services to homeless children.