A good start at school

Summer 2008 is a time of economic uncertainty for many. The reality of that experience is apparent two ways: The agencies and community groups that gather and distribute school supplies to needy families expect significant increases in requests; in the midst of summer break, anxious parents already are looking ahead to the expenses of the new school year.

Higher gasoline and food prices and a roiling housing market have touched households across the economy. At exactly the time extra help is need by others, people have drawn back a step. We see it in a drop in donations to our summer school-supply campaign.

The need is great, so it makes reports from readers such as Kathy Lilleby all the more appreciated. She e-mailed us about the efforts of her church, Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Bellevue, to gather supplies for needy students.

Her closing line was the essence of what it means to equip students with the tools of learning: "It feels good to help a child get a good start at school."

We absolutely agree.

Contributions to our school-supply campaign through the Fund for the Needy are divided among three excellent agencies: Hopelink, the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness and the YWCA of Seattle-King County-Snohomish County. They purchase and organize the distribution of age-appropriate school supplies.

Readers are invited to send a donation to: The School Supply Drive, care of The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy, P.O. Box C-11025, Seattle, WA 98111. For donations via credit/debit card, e-mail pdelaney@seattletimes.com for details.