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Manzanita Outreach is a non-profit organization serving the Verde Valley. It has completed its 3rd year of providing cabinets of school supplies and now serves 14 area middle and elementary campuses with a total annual project cost of $135,000. Sedona Red Rocks' grant last year paid for a commercial grade cabinet fully stocked with school supplies and one initial refill for Sedona Charter School.
The actual cost (provided by Ben Burke executive director of Manzanita Outreach) for replenishing supplies for the ten-month, 2022-23 school year for that cabinet was $6,303.21. The supplies, provided free-of-charge to the school, kept the 17 teachers and support staff from reaching into their own pockets on an average of $370 each. Every one of the 153 students on campus was assured of having the basic supplies necessary to complete their schoolwork even those from families in need. Amy Fultz, executive director of Sedona Charter School, was quoted as calling the cabinet and supplies "game changing".
Manzanita Outreach's huge volume purchasing power allows it to negotiate bulk wholesale pricing that is 40-50% below big box stores. The list of supplies furnished (including some snacks) comes from teacher surveys and requests. There is a strict protocol for inventorying and re-stocking the cabinet which is done by Manzanita Outreach staff. The cabinet is kept in the secure administration office and is lockable for weekends and holidays.
Manzanita Outreach holds a "Green Bag" school supply collection drive every August. Sedona Red Rock Rotarians will be able to work hands-on in Manzanita's warehouse to sort and stock the donated and purchased supplies. Red Rocks Rotarians can also assist in organizing and operating a no-cost to teachers shopping event that is held at the warehouse. Press releases will go to appropriate news outlets.
The request is to fund the cost of replenishing supplies for Sedona Charter School for approximately half of the coming school year. The amount is: $2,000 District Grant + $1,152 Sedona Red Rocks = $3,152 Total. Timeline - $1,576 (half) paid when grant funds are available. Balance of $1,576 paid 90 days later. Project complete by November 30, 2023.
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