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Church Distributing School Supplies

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By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: August 16, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - There goes that last chance to sleep in. But it's worth it.

Just in time for the start of the 2008 - 09 school year, Calvary Chapel Worship Center, 6825 Trouble Creek Road, will have its annual school supply giveaway, at 8:05 and 11:15 a.m. Sunday.

The goal for this year was to have 500 backpacks to give away, and, thanks to donations from the congregation, event organizer Lisa Avery was able to buy the backpacks in bulk from a company she found online. The backpacks, she said, are in various sizes, colors and designs so there is something for boys and girls of all ages.

There will, in fact, be more than the originally hoped-for 500 backpacks, and they will come filled with an assortment of school supplies, including pens, pencils, paper and notebooks.

"The congregation is wonderful," she said. "People are bringing in backpacks and donating school supplies. It's a blessing; there is such a need this year."

It's been a testament to the character of the community, she said, that at a time when times are tight for just about everyone those who can are digging a little deeper to help those who are feeling the squeeze more than they are.

Even with this outpouring of generosity, Avery anticipates demand will exceed supply. She said she might reserve the loaded backpacks for grade school and middle school students, and give supplies without backpacks to high school students.

In general, Avery said, it's probably a little harder for the younger ones to keep all their stuff together than it is for older students.

This year, the Calvary Chapel school supply giveaway will include free back-to-school haircuts. Some students will be able to get their hair cut on site; meanwhile hundreds of coupons will be handed out for students to get a free haircut through Sept. 18 at Bene's International School of Beauty, in New Port Richey.

"I've prepared my staff that we're going to have a big month," said Vicki Bene, co-owner of the school.

Dedicated to helping children in need, Bene and her husband, Patrick Bene, have offered free haircuts to children in foster care since buying the school in 2004. Calling the Calvary Chapel school supply giveaway "a fabulous undertaking," they expect to hand out something in the neighborhood of 350 coupons at the event, bearing a drawing by Bene's 7-year-old nephew, Alex Bibian, depicting a youngster getting a haircut.

Along with helping out area families, the haircut offer works out well for the school, Bene said. Plenty of adults come in on a regular basis to get inexpensive haircuts, but not many kids. This will give her students a chance to practice their craft on younger heads.

Bene did, however, specify the coupons should not be used for children under the age of 9. Student stylists can be a little nervous, and younger children tend to squirm in the barber's chair - not a good combination.

Avery wanted to remind everyone the backpack and school supply giveaway is on a first-come, first-served basis. Students can register ahead of time, however, at www.ccwc.org>. Pre-registration is not necessary, but it is highly recommended, Avery said, as inquiries have been coming in for some time.

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