Who We Are

Our Mission

Can you imagine having to choose between buying food and clothes or crayons, pens, scissors, paper and a notebook for your school-age child? Each year, many parents look at the brightly colored "Back to School" banners with dread as they face exactly these choices. The average cost of school supplies per child has grown to almost $37 per child. Add a new outfit and the cost is now beyond many parents who are already struggling to pay for rent, gas and medical check-ups!

Teachers tell us about children showing up the first day of school without any supplies. Dressed in inadequate or ragged clothing, they often avoid school activities because they are embarrassed to be seen. Not having paper to take notes, or crayons to contribute to the class pool, may seem small, but to kids who are already struggling, having the basic supplies and clean, decent clothing can make a HUGE difference!

The Little Red Schoolhouse Project was founded in 1991 in response to this need. Our goal is to see every child start school with basic school supplies, a backpack and 2-3 outfits of new or clean used clothes.

In 2009 almost 2343 children were given supplies and clothing!

Special thanks to our member partners:

• Community Action Council
• Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
• Junior League of Olympia
• Mixx 96.1 KXXO
• Olympia Lacey Church of God
• St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church
• St. John’s Episcopal Church
• Sound to Harbor Headstart
• United Churches