School district seeks gift cards for students in need

The Carson City School District’s McKinney-Vento Students in Transition program is requesting gift card donations between $10 and $100 to assist students in transition, according to a news release.

Students in transition lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence including children and youth sharing housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reasons, the release said.

The request is for gift cards from local establishments for the schools to purchase clothing, hygiene items, shoes and other essentials. Needed gift cards include those from Arco Gas, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Plato’s Closet, Ross, Marshall’s, McDonald’s, Smith’s or similar stores, gas stations or restaurants.

Monetary donations are preferred to physical items as student needs and sizes are constantly changing. The gift cards will primarily be used by the McKinney-Vento office to purchase needed items; however, occasionally, some gift cards will be given directly to the students and families.

“Gift cards give us flexibility to purchase brand new items for specific needs including clothing and undergarment items and shoes in needed sizes,” said Hannah Etchison, special projects coordinator, McKinney-Vento and Foster Care liaison for the Carson City School District.

Students in transition often live in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds. Other primary nighttime residence may be a designated public space not designed for regular sleeping such as cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings. Students in transition might also include migratory children or unaccompanied youth who are not in physical custody of a parent or guardian.

The McKinney-Vento program helps these students receive an appropriate public education as well as the following services:

• Enrollment in school immediately

• Transportation to and from school

• Free school meals

• Referrals to outside resources

• Support with school supplies, school fees or sports fees

• Academic tracking and interventions

• Assistance in obtaining required documents such as birth certificates

• Removal of other barriers that could impact educational progress

• Scholarships and help with graduation needs

• Summer programs

Gift cards can be mailed to Carson City School District McKinney-Vento, 618 W. Musser St., P.O. Box 603, Carson City, Nevada 89702.

Gift cards also can be dropped off at 618 W. Musser St. in Carson City for those who call ahead to schedule an appointment. Donation receipts are available upon request.

For information, contact Etchison at 775-283-1537 or hetchison@carson.k12.nv.us.