As families prepare for the upcoming school year, the Mississippi Farmers Market on High Street and the Genuine MS® Farmers Market at the Brandon Amphitheater are proud to announce a Back-to-School Supply Drive, a community initiative dedicated to helping local students start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.
The back-to-school drives will benefit We Will Go Ministries with school supply collections beginning this Saturday, July 25, at both markets and will continue through Saturday, August 8, on Great American Farmers Market Day. Community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to donate new school supplies to support students and families throughout the central Mississippi area. Collection bins will be located throughout both markets, making it easy for shoppers to contribute items such as backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, folders, glue sticks, scissors and other classroom essentials.
We Will Go Ministries is a local organization whose dedicated efforts focus on education, essential food and engagement, and their values are based on service, trust, respect, collaboration and diversity.
“Items donated at our Mississippi Farmers Market and Genuine MS® Farmers Market will help better prepare local students for a successful school year,” said Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson. “Together, we can help ensure every child begins the school year confident, prepared and ready to learn.”
Donating is simple and convenient. Community members can drop off new school supplies at the Mississippi Farmers Market on High Street during the week, Tuesdays through Fridays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at both markets during regular market hours on Saturdays while shopping for fresh, locally grown produce and supporting Mississippi farmers. The Saturday market hours for the Mississippi Farmers Market on High Street are from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the Genuine MS® Farmers Market at the Brandon Amphitheater is 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
“Every donation, large or small, will help equip local students with the supplies they need for a successful school year while showcasing the community spirit that makes the farmers market a gathering place for giving back,” added Gipson.
Also, during both farmers markets on Saturday, August 8, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will be giving out promotional lunch boxes to school kids while supplies last. The Great American Farmers Market Day on August 8 is part of National Farmers Market Week, celebrating the people and products that make local special.
Both markets are operated by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. For more information on both markets, visit www.msfarmersmarket.com. For more information on We Will Go Ministries, visit https://www.wewillgo.org/.