MAM Launches Annual Back to School Program

Do you remember your first day of school? Do you remember shopping with your parents for new school clothes? For most of us, it was a chance to wear new clothes, sport new shoes and spend time getting ready with mom and dad. It was a fresh new start every year. Sadly, many of Spring Branch ISD students will not have the same experience in the days ahead because buying new school clothes is a financial burden for their families. This is where the Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) nonprofit organization and our community work together to help children in need! Through your generous help and donations, you can make this new school year begin on a positive note for a local student! MAM serves neighborhoods that include four area public school districts – SBISD, Aldine, Houston and Cypress-Fairbanks ISDs – but the majority of students served reside here in Spring Branch, more than 80 percent of all families served last year. It takes about $50 to provide clothing, socks, belt, underwear and shoes for one child in need. All contributions are deeply appreciated. Individuals and businesses can help by making online donations, raising funds at your office, house of worship, or through social groups, or by sending a link to friends, or even by challenging employees by matching funds raised.	How MAM’s Back to School Program Works:   School counselors and nurses in MAM’s service area contact MAM with the number of at-risk students in need of a uniform. MAM then provides each school with clothing vouchers for the parents, redeemable at community partnering stores. Parents use the vouchers to shop for new clothing with their children from an approved list. Each partner vendor then sends MAM a bill for the total number of vouchers redeemed in their store. This way, children have the same shopping experience as their classmates, and in the eyes of the child, mom and dad maintain their hero status!
Online donations can be made at www.maministries.org/backtoschool. “As a community, we must all work together to eliminate barriers to regular school attendance, relieve family stress and build each child’s self-confidence,” said MAM’s President and CEO Martha Macris. “MAM’s Back to School Program is uniquely positioned to lead the charge. We have the strategy, the relationships and a proven history of success.” Download flyer >> MAM News Release >> For more information, please visit www.maministries.org/backtoschool or email Christina Luna Finley, Development Officer, at cfinley@maministries.org. MAM is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to full extent of the law.
Minnie’s Story Every time Minnie had to go home and tell her mom she had detention, she was sad. Her teacher was angry for having to remind her to tuck in her shirt, but Minnie knew it didn’t fit. Minnie could not understand why her mom’s eyes filled with tears at the news. Her mom knew she was growing and there was no extra money for clothing. The next day, Minnie’s mom attended a parent-teacher meeting. They met with the counselor who gave her two MAM vouchers for school uniforms. That day after school, Minnie was shocked when her mom took her shopping. She got a whole new uniform, shoes included! Now her uniform fit and she was so happy! MAM works with schools all year identifying children like Minnie in need of school uniforms. In Spring Branch ISD last year, MAM vouchers made a big difference in hundreds and hundreds of student lives. Help sustain this incredible community outreach for the new school year!