<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Care Help is partnering with the Sulphur Christian Community Coalition (SC3) to provide back to school needs for Sulphur students. Each child will receive a brand new backpack in the color of their choice with basic school supplies such as pencils, colors, folders and erasers. In addition, they will get a $25 gift card to The Shoe Department, two new school uniform shirts and gently-used khaki pants. The supplies will be provided at Care Help’s Education building. Care Help has sponsored this program for 12 years. Families have to apply at Care Help’s Assistance office from now through July 15, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. They must be a resident of Sulphur and bring a current picture I.D., social security card, the birth certificates for the children, food stamp sheet, proof of income and proof of bills.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Care Help collects the uniforms and Team CITGO tags them by size and they bring them to SC3 for a uniform exchange. Parents can bring uniforms that do not fit their children anymore and exchange them for ones that fit, said SC3 executive director Paula Taylor. The uniform exchange will be held Saturday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at the former D.S. Perkins Elementary School. “We have thousands of uniforms,” she said.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Care Help purchases school supplies ahead of time. They spend about $16,000 or $45 per child. They aim to help between 320 to 360 students per year, said Care Help executive director Jody Farnum.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Care Help also sponsors the Backpack Blessings program during the school year. The school determines any hungry children and hands out nonperishable foods every Friday. “Last year, we were making 1,000 bags a month,” said Farnum. They spend from $12,000 to $15,000 per school year. Students receive two meals – one each for Saturday and Sunday. They collect backpack blessings donations year round.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Another program Care Help provides is Sulphur Community Christmas. They make about 400 Christmas boxes for families in need in the Sulphur/Carlyss area. Each box contains a complete Christmas meal with a choice of a turkey or ham. They also do Toys for Children with SC3 where children are allowed to shop for brand new toys at up to an 80 percent discount.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">If you, your church, club or organization would like to sponsor children at $45 per child, or make any size donation, call Care Help at 528-2273 or mail your donation to: Care Help of Sulphur, 200 N. Huntington Street, Sulphur, LA 70663.</span>