Lining up for school supplies

People began lining up for free back-to-school supplies at the Samaritan Center 90 minutes before its doors opened.

Marylyn DeFeo, volunteer executive director, said people usually arrive early when the center distributes backpacks stuffed with supplies necessary for students in all grades.

A long line forms Monday as parents and children waited to pick up school supplies at the Samaritan Center in Jefferson City. (Stephen Brooks/News Tribune photo)

"They are eager to come in and get them and afraid there won't be enough to go around," said DeFeo.

She's probably right.

Every year the Samaritan Center has held the distribution there have been more children than supplies.

"We've prepared for 850," said DeFeo, who noted the center has distributed school items to the community for the past 10 years. "We'll probably run out by Wednesday of next week, I'm sure."

With state layoffs and more people out of work or working lower-paying jobs, DeFeo expects to see more people than usual this year.

"It helps a whole lot when I don't have to get school supplies," said Jeanea Johnson, whose daughter is entering ninth grade. "A whole lot."

The list of required supplies tends to get longer as the child gets older, which can make buying all the needed supplies difficult for some lower-income families.

"It gets a little bigger each time," Johnson said.

While the distribution can be helpful to parents, DeFeo is hopeful it motivates students to stay in school because they can see the community cares for them.

"If they remember we helped them," DeFeo said, "maybe we'll be out of business in the future."

While waiting for her name to be called, Kesha Berry, 9, a student at Callaway Hills, dreamed of her perfect backpack, hoping to get one with Pooh Bear on it.

Many of the backpacks have characters on them, especially the ones for kindergartners, who for the first time will be required to carry backpacks to school.

The children seemed excited as they waited for their new school gear.

"You get a whole bunch of stuff and you get to use it all," said Dillon Koepke, 8, Iberia.

DeFeo said anyone who still wants to help with the center's school-supply distribution can send a check to, or drop off school supplies at, the Samaritan Center.

Distribution schedule

Distributions will be held again next week, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 4-6 p.m. Thursday, as long as supplies last.

Marylyn DeFeo, volunteer executive director of the Samaritan Center, assists fourth grader Brittany Sweet and Stacy Holtermen with school supplies Monday. (Stephen Brooks/News Tribune photo)