A program that puts free school supplies in the hands of kids whose families can't afford them continues to gather momentum with the recent opening of the 10th Kids In Need Resource Center. The newest facility is sponsored by OfficeMax and is located in Cleveland.

Since the Kids In Need program was created four years ago by the School, Home & Office Products Association Foundation, it has been embraced by suppliers and retailers. Suppliers typically provide excess inventory, returned or slightly damaged merchandise, or outdated product lines, while retail sponsors provide funding and fixtures so the resource centers resemble stores. Approximately $30.0 million worth of school supplies were donated this year alone.

One of the earliest retail supporters of the program was Target, which was honored last month at a dinner held in conjunction with SHOPA's annual trade show. Target sponsors four resource centers in Minneapolis, Detroit, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Senior vp of merchandising Bob Guelich attended the dinner to accept an award on Target's behalf "Kids in Need is a program that works by providing school supplies to kids who wouldn't otherwise have them," Guelich said. 'Target is proud to play a part in touching the lives of kids through the Kids In Need program."

Other cities with Kids In Need centers include Chicago, Cincinnati, Washington, D.C., Seattle and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The 11th facility is scheduled to open next fall in Newark, N.J., although a sponsor is still being sought.

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