Custer County approves $500 for local backpack program

The Custer County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $500 appropriation for the Custer County Backpack Project during its May 8, 2025 meeting.

Deborah Bell, a representative of the Backpack Project, told commissioners the nonprofit supplies school-required materials to students and relies entirely on donations. She said the program distributed 62 backpacks last year — which she described as about 54% of the local school population — and that organizers are seeking to replenish roughly $5,000 in supplies and stock for next year.

Commissioner Lucas moved to approve $500 from the county’s community outreach funds; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board recorded unanimous support from commissioners present.

Bell described the program’s operations and funding sources during the presentation and provided commissioners with a sample backpack and the program’s supply list. She said the group tries to rotate requests among community donors and that middle-school backpacks are the most costly, averaging about $100 each, while Pre-K through 12 backpacks average roughly $40.

Commission staff noted that the county’s community outreach account had about $2,900 remaining at the time the motion was made and that past years’ outreach items had already drawn on those funds. Commissioners discussed timing — the group begins packing backpacks in July for August distribution — and agreed the $500 would be used now to restock supplies ahead of that schedule.

The board thanked Bell for the presentation and urged community members to support the program.

(See provenance below for transcript excerpts.)