As kids prepare to start a new school year, on Friday Flowery Branch Police Department will give free school supplies to families in need.
Students can meet officers and receive their supplies in-person at the City of Flowery Branch’s annual Back 2 School Block Party.
The police department has helped Flowery Branch schools collect supplies in the past, but officers have never had the opportunity to personally distribute the items. According to Flowery Branch Deputy Police Chief Todd Templeton, the department used to deliver items to schools without interacting with students.
“We're going to hand out school supplies directly to the families and to the children who may be in need of those supplies,” Templeton said. “And we've decided to do that because it's gonna provide us a better face-to-face interaction with the children, be a little bit more of a direct relationship and provide us with the ability to connect with these kids as best as we can at this event.”
Templeton said this event is an example of community policing, which aims to improve relations between law enforcement and community members.
“This is going to enable us to have positive interactions with kids in the community,” Templeton said. “And we're hoping that that'll help set a precedent for future interactions and let them know that the police are good guys. We're there to help in any way that we can, whether that be supplying school supplies or responding to a 911 call.”
Other local businesses did their homework, too. Templeton said several businesses partnered with the police department to help provide supplies.
“Our local Target store reached out and said, ‘Hey, we'd like to partner with you on this,’’ Templeton said. “Another local business, HomeRun Nutrition, also contacted the police department and has asked to help us provide some of the supplies. And I think Sam's Club in Oakwood has provided a gift card that's going to go toward that task as well. So we're very thankful for that and the community coming together to make this happen.”
Families can show up at the Flowery Branch Train Depot at 6:30 p.m. to get their supplies and socialize with other community members. There will be food trucks and activities for kids.
“[For] any families that may find themselves in a time of need and in need of school supplies, this is a great opportunity for them to come down and connect with us and let us help them out,” Templeton said. “Whether they live in Flowery Branch or in any of the other areas here in our community, it makes no difference to us. We're just there to connect and help as best we can.”
