Carried in hand or in bags called satchels, with buckles, flaps and leather straps, books were once carried to school, exposed to the elements and subject to mishaps – along came daypacks and backpacks for hikers, still primarily used by campers, climbers, birders, and cyclers. Today, backpacks are a staple for many including students. The Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter is accepting donations of new backpacks and school supplies. The Mailbag helps ‘carry the message.’

Backpack for Back to School – Annual NSK&S event

“The Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter’s Backpack Program provides school supplies, including new backpacks, to children in need in the community,” says Carol W. of Nashua, director of resource development (LTR 3,372). “Our staff works with clients, of which there are nearly 5,000 children, to provide those in need with necessary school supplies in order to be successful in their school year. As a 501©(3) private, tax deductible, nonprofit agency, we depend on donations which we hope people will understand must be new items.” The following is a backpack program supply list beginning with new backpacks for boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through 12th: 2-inch, 3-ring binders (required in high school); loose leaf filler paper; tabbed dividers; spiral notebooks; No. 2 pencils; hand-held sharpeners; erasers; pens; 12-inch rulers; protractors (or multi-piece drafting packages); bottled glue; glue sticks; scotch tape, staplers; student scissors (safety, for younger grades); dry erase markers; crayons (24 box); colored pencils; pencil boxes; lunch boxes/snack bags; calculators; index cards; dictionaries; and 8-GB (or larger) flash drives. The Nashua Soup Kitchen was started in 1981 by a small group of women and men who noticed there were hungry people in Nashua. All support came from private donations. In 1989, the soup kitchen merged with the Nashua Area Shelter for the Homeless and the NSK&S was created. Donations for the Backpacks for Back to School Program can be dropped off at the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, located at 2 Quincy St. in Nashua, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 9. For recipients, distribution dates will be scheduled Aug. 21-23. For more information, contact Carol at 889-7770 or via email: carol@nsks.org. Great agency, wonderful cause!

Shelves needed (for flood recovery)

“I am hoping to reach out to someone who is no longer in need of shelves that they would donate to us,” writes Lucy W. of Nashua (LTR 2,810). “We had a flood downstairs which the house insurance cleaned up, but we haven’t had a chance to remodel and I’m trying to set things up in the way that we can walk in between so much stuff. If anyone has some shelves to donate I would greatly having them. Thanks, and have a great week.” While April showers may bring May flowers, people in all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods in the past five years, which have brought extensive damage, financial burden and excessive aggravation. Even without bodily injury, reorganizing, replacing and repairing household items can be a ‘real pain’… ahem! If you have shelving in the basement, garage, or around the house to help Lucy and family get around in their house, she can be reached at 880-4592.

‘See the world’ through National Geographic

“I still have a bag full of National Geographic magazines from 1995 to 1996, all in excellent condition,” says Bert the Picker of Nashua (LTR 1,775). “The magazines feature articles and photography including Emperors of the Ice; Into the Heart of Glaciers; Dinosaur Eggs; Emerging Mexico, a special issue; Quiet Miracles of the Brain; African Gold; the world of chimpanzees with Jane Goodall; National Wildlife Refuges; sanctuaries of waterfowl with a double map supplement; and In Praise of Squirrels, to name a few.” These magazines could also be used for collages, picture boards, art projects, or perhaps a sure to be much appreciated donation to a nursing home, respite center, or school. Anyone interested should give Bert a call at 883-0990. Leave a message and he will get back to you.

Updates

n Lisa T. of Nashua (LTR 2,452), with a ‘royal request, sort of’ for a set of sheets for a king-size bed, received three sets of sheets (two sets of flannels and one regular) from Fred, and a set from Natalie. Many thanks to these Mailbag readers for help with my bedding and my budget. Much appreciated!”

Contact Chris’ Mailbag by emailing christine.graham33@gmail.com or sending mail to Chris’ Mailbag c/o The Telegraph, 110 Main St., Suite 1, Nashua 03060. Include full name and complete address, along with telephone number or email address for publication, if applicable. Items eligible for publication are for donation, trade or barter only; requests of items for sale or purchase will not be included.

Newsletter