Purpose + Generosity = PURPOSITY. The Hall County School District is banking on the community latching onto that phrase - and that app - to help students and families who may need a helping hand.
While the app is being used in other school districts across the country, Hall County school officials announced the initiative Friday, saying they need at least 400 followers to get things started.
"The school social workers, working with our school counselors in our schools, will post needs that we see for students and families, and folks in our community who are interested in meeting those needs will see them," said Carol Pitts, the lead school social worker for Hall County Schools.
Pitts said needs posted to the app will be wide-ranging.
"You're going to see needs that may vary from a coat to shoes, alarm clocks for students...blankets, pillows...a variety of school needs, such as special calculators," Pitts said.
She said because social workers are in the homes of families who have the greatest needs, they'll be able to assess what a student - and that student's family - may need that they can't afford.
Pitts said the items will be listed on Amazon, and the Purposity app links directly to the site, allowing community members to securely make a purchase. The item is then delivered to the school district's central office and social workers will deliver the items directly to the students. No money ever changes hands within the school district.
Pitts said the Hall County School District years ago adopted the motto "The Most Caring Place on Earth" and she said Purposity is just one more way to make that motto a reality.
"We have really focused on how to help the children not just academically, but socially and in other ways, as well," Pitts said. "We know that to meet the needs of the whole child will help us meet our number one goal, which is academics."
Dubbed Your Tool for Good, the Purposity app also features user profiles that track donors' contributions, allowing them to see their impact. Those receiving donations will not be identified.
"We wanted to create a way for communities to connect and unite in a meaningful way," said Blake Canterbury, founder and CEO of Purposity. "Our belief is that if you knew your neighbor needed help, you’d help.”
Pitts said once the school district gets its 400 followers, social workers and counselors will begin uploading the needs list to the app, and the community can begin to make donations.
The Purposity app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
