Sumter United Ministries still needs supplies, volunteers for yearly 'Gear up for Learning' project

It's not too late to donate school supplies to Sumter United Ministries.

Gear Up for Learning, an annual school supply drive held by SUM, is quickly coming to a close, but supplies are still needed. According to Carolyn Bryan, construction director at SUM, the most needed donation every year is loose-leaf paper but that all contributions are valuable as schools try to give students multiples of each item.

This year the ministry is specifically focused on helping schools in town that are not Title 1 schools, according to Bryan. Many local elementary schools are Title 1 schools, which means they receive government funding for school supplies. So, the majority of this year's proceeds will be given to middle and high schools in town with the exception of a handful of elementary schools. With that in mind, SUM is asking for donations, including crayons, glue sticks, highlighters, ink pens (blue and black), loose-leaf notebook paper (college and wide ruled), three-ring binders, pencils, large plastic pencil boxes, primary writing tablets ruled for kindergarten, pocket folders (with and without clasps), rulers, round-tip scissors, spiral notebooks - college ruled, composition notebooks, colored pencils, back packs, copier paper, tissues and hand sanitizer.

Donations can be dropped off until July 24 at Sumter United Ministries at 36 S. Artillery Drive. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations may also be delivered from July 22 to 25 to First Baptist Church Gym at 107 E. Liberty St. The church is open from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon.

The organization is also looking for volunteers to count and organize supplies at First Baptist Church when the drive finishes on July 25. If you have any questions on how you can get involved, call SUM at (803) 775-0757.