SPUR, Inc. has launched its annual student success drive, which provides school supplies to local students who otherwise couldn’t afford them.

The nonprofit serves Swampscott as well as Beverly, Lynn, Marblehead and Salem. This fall, SPUR hopes to support more than 600 local students. 

“These are not generic backpacks,” said Kim Nothnagel, SPUR’s director of communications and community relations. “These are specific backpacks for specific kids…It’s about every kid walking into a classroom and feeling like they belong with no difference than their classmates.”

Volunteers will fill the backpacks between July 21 and August 8.

Each backpack is tailored with supplies specific to the student’s grade level. Kindergarten and first graders, for example, will receive pencils, crayons, glue sticks, scissors, markers, water color paint and construction paper. Second and third grade students will receive some of the same items like markers and scissors but also others like a one-subject notebook and folders without prongs. Fourth through sixth graders receive items like post-it notes, index cards, notebooks, pocket folders and a ruler. Seventh and eighth graders are similar with other items like pens and composition books.The high schoolers will receive a calculator and lots of notebooks and filler paper.

Bryan Lamoreau, the director of volunteer engagement, worked with Staples this year for the supplies. Kennedy Property Services will assist with transporting pallets of supplies to SPUR.

If a student prefers purple or floral designs, SPUR works to ensure they receive a backpack that matches their style. There are a range of options of the students too, from tye dye to flowers and solid color options as well.

“The volunteers get to pick out exactly what backpack they want for that child as well as the items,” Lamoreau said.

Other volunteer opportunities include working at the food pantry, community gardens and sewing pillowcases.

“Our mission is to connect people with ways to make a positive, tangible impact in their community through volunteer opportunities,” Nothnagel said. “We believe that no matter your age, your interest, your skill level, your schedule, there is something out there for you.”

Nothnagel said the organization has “a few thousand unique volunteers” each year.

For Swampscot-resident Lisa Barden and her seven-year-old grandson Lorenzo the two have been volunteering together for the past three years. 

“I would bring him on Saturdays, and he would love it,” Barden said. “We’d talk about taking care of people who are less fortunate.”

Barden said that the backpack drive is Lorenzo’s favorite activity with SPUR. She also volunteers with other initiatives, like sewing pillowcases that will be filled and distributed to shelters in the winter.

Elena LeBel – and her whole family – comes to help out from Swampscott as well. Nothnagel joked that she probably sees LeBel every day at SPUR. 

“Volunteering is the thing,” LeBel said. “We all have to be a part of it…It’s so important to be able to just see the difference that you make, whether it’s with backpacks or pillowcases. Seeing the difference you make in your own community is so rewarding.”

Brenda Sheridan, who also lives in Swampscott, also said it’s “fantastic” to have an impact in her community.

“I always feel horrible that school supplies are such a burden,” Sheridan said. “Sometimes we do packs for the schools. I don’t think it should be a burden to go to school, so be able to be a part of something that makes it not a burden I think is awesome.” 

Nothnagel emphasized there’s no stigma tied to the backpacks, as various community groups work together to ensure students receive what they need.

“Some of those kids come to us through their school’s guidance counselor. Some of those kids come to us because their family depends on the local food pantry. Some of those kids are referred to use through the Department of Children and Families,” Nothnagel said. “One of the great things about being in the nonprofit world is you never have competition. You just have collaborators.”

To donate to the student success drive, fill out the form: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/Kx4TxgbcXPOCLnNQBoOBFQ. 

Volunteers are able to support different grades’ backpacks, which range from $69.75 for second and third graders to $83 for ninth through twelfth grades. There is also the option to sponsor a backpack only for $45 or just the supplies for $38. 

People are also able to volunteer through SPUR to help fill the backpacks – or participate in other events – at https://spur.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=61402.

“Whether you need us for a season or you need us for a long time, we’re here,” Nothnagel said. “It’s very normal for need to be a cyclical thing…In any community, any one of us is a catastrophic medical event or an accident or the loss of a parent or spouse away from needing this support, so we’re always going to be here. The door’s always going to be open. The phone line’s always going to be open, and we’ll just keep doing this.”