WS Chronicle

The Kyndall Project nonprofit is attempting to double up their efforts this summer due to COVID-19 canceling their annual backpack giveaway last year. Because restrictions are lifting, the nonprofit is moving full speed ahead with planning their largest giveaway to date. But they need help with supplies before Aug. 14, when they plan to hold the 6th annual Back to School Jam at Rupert Bell Park.

There was a lot of uncertainty as to whether Kyndall Williams, The Kyndall Project creator, and her mother April Reich, would have to postpone the Back to School Jam for another year, but now that they have the green light, they have to try and coordinate the entire event in a few short months.

The Kyndall Project gave away over 1,000 bookbags to students in 2019 and plans to double that amount to 2,000 bookbags this year. Under normal circumstances they would have begun collecting supplies months ago, but this year they had a late start due to the pandemic.

“We need all the supplies, we need everything,” said Reich. “The most important things we need would be paper, composition books, pencils, pens, hand sanitizer, crayons and socks. We are trying to do more hygiene items because going into the school year, this is some of the stuff they are going to need.

“We need this stuff so bad this year and if someone can help supply us in bulk, especially with hand sanitizer and wipes,” Williams appealed, hoping for large donations of needed items.

Reich stated they have been reaching out to several companies for donations because they will have to sanitize and hold all items for a period of time before they can begin packing bookbags.

In previous years, the nonprofit would provide food for everyone who came out to the Back to School Jam. Out of safety concerns, they will not cook any food on site, but are currently looking for someone to provide prepackaged meals to hand out as a substitute.

“I hate that there is a possibility we won’t have any food, because that’s the day we feed the homeless too,” Reich continued. “If I can get some things that are prepackaged, we can give some out safely.”

As Governor Cooper continues to loosen restrictions, Reich stated she will still require people to socially distance from one another and wear masks during the event. She stated they will still have vendors and entertainment as well, just have individuals further apart.

The Kyndall Project gave away a few items to the needy last year, but it was not to the level they are used to doing. Reich stated she was really disappointed they were not able to hold the Back to School Jam in 2020 because so many people have come to rely on it for their kids.

“It was a big shock to us, because we couldn’t do anything,” she said. “Everything had to be on hold and it hurt us, because people are used to us having the Back to School Jam.

“We were really sad last year because we couldn’t do it. We are so used to getting cranked up at this time of year and having stuff everywhere in our houses.”

Reich stated that many people reached out to her about the Back to School Jam in 2020, asking if they were going to have any materials available. She said it was better to be “safe than sorry” when it comes to the pandemic.

The Back to School Jam and the Kyndall Project continues to grow every year. At the age of 15, Williams wants to branch out into social justice issues that are plaguing the Black community. She feels the younger generation must pick up what the older generation started to continue progressing the cause of equality around the nation.

For more information about the Kyndall Project or the Back to School Jam, please visit kyndallproject.org or April Reich and the Kyndall Project on social media platforms. You can also email the nonprofit at kyndallprojectinfo@gmail.com.