About Kickstart2School & North Plains Food Bank
Kickstart2School is a community-driven event designed to support families in North Plains and surrounding communities across Washington County. Many families face financial hardship, struggling to provide essentials like shoes, school supplies, and healthcare for their children. With no grocery store in North Plains, access to basic resources is already limited—this event helps bridge those gaps and ensure students start the school year equipped and confident.
Kickstart2School is an extension of the North Plains Food Bank, a grassroots organization dedicated to ensuring food security and essential support for low-income and houseless families. Since opening in November 2023, the food bank has grown from serving 165 people to 2,136 individuals and 681 families, including 487 senior citizens. Unlike larger food distribution networks, we are community-funded and operate with a dignity-first approach, allowing families to choose their own groceries in a grocery store-like setting every Monday.
Recognizing that families in need require more than food, Kickstart2School was created to provide students with the tools and resources to succeed in school. With the support of Soles4Souls, each child will receive a new pair of shoes, but we are still seeking sponsorships for coats and additional school supplies. Vision To Learn will conduct eye exams, providing prescription glasses to 20 students, and Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center will offer dental screenings and vaccinations. Free back-to-school haircuts will also be available to ensure students feel confident on their first day of school.
Through corporate partnerships and local sponsorships, this event is removing barriers, fostering dignity, and strengthening community connections. By empowering families and children with the essentials they need, Kickstart2School and North Plains Food Bank are working together to build a more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
We welcome businesses, sponsors, and volunteers to be part of this transformative initiative and help ensure every child in our community gets the support they deserve.
Register here: https://www.kickstart2school.org/register/
