ROGERS, Ark. — Students apart of the Mayor's Youth Academy in Rogers are hosting a Grab and Go Bags Donation Drive for their yearly service project to help their classmates in transitional housing.
"I just don't think it's fair that kids go without things that we don't even think twice about," said Amelie Auxier, a junior from Rogers Heritage High School involved in the academy.
The Rogers School District has 15,600 students across 24 schools, according to their website. However, 350 of those students are either underhoused or in shelter transition.
The Mayor's Youth Academy is a group of juniors and seniors from Rogers Public Schools who want to deepen their civic knowledge. The program is designed for students to gain knowledge in local government as well as contribute to their community through a variety of avenues.
The academy members want to provide essential resources for their classmates that they can put in individual bags through this donation drive. They're asking for hygiene products, household items, snack foods, and notes of encouragement.
"Sometimes kids are too scared or too shy to ask for help, because they might be embarrassed," said Colin Jones, a senior from Rogers High School in the academy. "I want them to feel like somebody out there cares about them."
"A lot of us don't think about it as much as we should," Auxier added. "It's so important that we recognize those kids. And that we are continuing to support them."
Their goal is to create as many bags as they can with these donations.
"It's just important that we get as many as possible because everyone deserves to have those basic needs met," Auxier said.
Drop boxes for donations can be found at the following locations:
- Rogers City Hall
- Rogers Public Library
- Adult Wellness Center
- Rogers Historical Museum
- Rogers Fire Department Training Center
The academy is also accepting donations at the Railyard Live Concerts in downtown Rogers on May 3, 4, 10, and 11.
All donations must be dropped off by May 10.
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