With the hope that schools will re-open this fall, the Cass County Democratic Party is again sponsoring its annual School Supply Drive, to begin Monday, July 13th and continuing through August 14th. Coupled with the school supply drive will be a Food Drive. County Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle says “This is the 9th year that the Party has held the school supply drive. We have always been overwhelmed by the support of Cass County for this important event. We want our children to start the year off right, with new supplies.”

Toelle says “We are also sponsoring a food drive, realizing that there are far more food insecure people this year due to high unemployment and the pandemic. We generally have a food drive at least once a year but, because this is a major election year, I decided to do both drives at the same time since we will be busy during the fall. I do want to stress that both drives are non-partisan events. We don’t care if you are a Democrat, Republican, No Party, or not registered to vote; it is far more important than politics to meet the needs of our local children and families.”

Food pantries and the schools will do the actual distribution of the donated items. Suggested items for the school drive include everything from pencils to spiral notebooks to book bags and also should include non-traditional items such as facial tissues, hand sanitizer, plastic zip-top storage bags, and copy paper. Non-perishable items such as canned and boxed food items are needed; cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, zip-top storage bags or other food storage containers are also welcome.

There will be drop-off sites around the County (See the list below). Toelle says  “We are also looking for a drop-off site in Wiota so if anyone has suggestions, please call [her] at 712-243-4861.”

Drop-off sites include:

• Anita: City Clerk’s Office; Library; Main Street Market; Rusty Razor; Rolling Hills Bank.
• Atlantic: Fareway (school supplies only); private home at 10 E. 13th St.; YMCA; Rolling Hills Bank
• Cumberland: City Hall; Houghton State Bank
• Griswold: Rolling Hills Bank; City Hall; Telephone Company, Houghton State Bank
• Lewis: Library
• Lyman: Lyman Cafe
• Marne: Library outside Post Office
• Massena: Library; FNB Bank; Economy Food Mart