United Way hands out $200 gift cards to students in need

ALPENA, Mich. — Tuesday morning, United Way helped students get the school supplies they need at Meijer. A total of 36 students from Alcona, Alpena, and Montmerency school districts received $200 Meijer gift cards from United Way. There was a “stuff the bus” event held two weeks ago where local residents donated school supplies for these same children.

United Way wanted to make sure these students got the supplies they need so they could spend this money on other necessities like clothes and backpacks.

Staci Chroninger, president of United Way, explained how some students may feel pressure from other kids who are able to afford things like new clothes. “This is the second or third year that we’ve done it, and it continues to grow every year. We just feel its a valuable opportunity for those kids to get new clothes and hopefully reduce some of that peer pressure when they return to school.”

Volunteers led students around the store, making sure they bought everything they need for the upcoming school year.