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Enchanted Backpack donates $10,000 to $40,000 worth of supplies to elementary and middle schools that complete an application process via its website. It was not confirmned to St. Andrews the exact cost of the items donated to it.

To qualify, half or more of a school’s student population must be eligible for free or reduced lunch.

On Thursday, the school received some of each of the following items: colored pencils, notebooks, paper, crayons, erasers, markers, pencil sharpeners, erasers, glue sticks, highlighters, pencils, pens, folders, Post-It Notes, scissors, tape, binders, a game room rug, deoderant, toothbrushes, t-shirts, coats, shoes, sweatshirts, underwear, hula hoops, balls, puzzles, travel games, a chest box, books, socks and sweatpants.

Mathew said she was told there was a possibility of receiving more than basic school supplies.

She said she was β€œextremely surprised” to see not only shoes, but the amount of toiletries and T-shirts.

β€œThey thought of everything,” Mathew said, adding that books will be good for both the school library and individual classroom libraries. Donated balls will supplement physical education department existing supplies.

Mathew added, β€œI was extremely surprised to see shoes, a lot of toiletries, deodorant, toothbrushes, T-shirts, children’s toys, games, puzzles, along with regular school supply items.”

The van itself was larger than Mathew expected.

β€œWhen it really hit me, the amount of school supplies, was when everything had been unloaded into our computer lab and seeing all the stacks of boxes there,” Mathew said.

After everything was unloaded, volunteers unwrapped the dollies and sorted items from all the boxes. The computer lab will now be a β€œstore” to shop in for teachers, Mathew said. Teachers will be able to choose items for their classrooms and for individual students in need.

β€œIt’s a tremendous generosity on the part of this nonprofit, and a tremendous gift to our teachers, students and community at large,” Mathew said.

β€œSome kids come to school at the beginning of the school year without school supplies because their family can’t afford them,” Mathew said. β€œOur teachers often, on their own accord, dip into their own pockets to provide for their students.”

By November, some school supplies are getting depleted, Mathew said.

β€œThis is when teachers start asking students to bring in more supplies. We are a Catholic school with limited resources. Unfortunately, the school can’t go out and buy all these supplies for 150 kids,” Mathew said. β€œWe are just so excited to have this for our teachers so they don’t have to spend their own money.”

When the bus arrived, students were waiting outside with posterboards welcoming Enchanted Backpack representatives.

Joe Froelich, co-director at Enchanted Backpack, said it’s moments like that β€œmake it fun.”

β€œIt’s a celebration for us,” Froelich said. β€œIt’s great timing for us with the winter and for those in need.”

This was the second time Enchanted Backpack has made a delivery to a school in Wisconsin. It had previously made a delivery to a school in Lake Geneva.