08/11/2025
A Promise Delivered: 3,600 Kids Ready for School
In early August at the Grand River Center, hundreds of volunteers came together to prepare supplies for more than 3,600 students across Dubuque and Western Dubuque. The energy was high. The tables were full. And every bag packed meant one more child would walk into school feeling ready.
For Allyson Avenarius, coordinator of the project at St. Mark Youth Enrichment, it’s the best week of the year.
“It’s always great to see how the community shows up to help our kids,” Allyson says. “This is my favorite part of the year.”
For over 20 years, Apples for Students has grown into a well-oiled machine: powered by generous donors, hard-working volunteers, and a shared belief that all kids deserve to start school with the tools they need.
The most powerful part? Every student at a Title I school is automatically covered. Families don’t have to apply. They don’t have to ask. The answer is already yes.
“It’s a lifeline for parents,” Allyson says. “Especially right now, when so many are doing their best just to keep up.”
Over the past two decades, Apples for Students has grown from a small grassroots effort into one of the region’s largest back-to-school support programs. What began with a few tables and donated supplies has evolved into a finely tuned operation that delivers essential items to dozens of schools with efficiency and care.
“It’s not just about handing out supplies,” said Kirsten Weidemann, a longtime volunteer and St. Mark Youth Enrichment board member. “It’s about showing up for kids in a way they can feel, even if they never see who did it. That’s what makes this effort so special, and it's what keeps me coming back year after year.”
What Families Should Know
Child attends a Title I school in Dubuque? Your child’s supplies will be delivered right to their classroom before the first day — no forms, no sign-up. It includes all the basics and some extras. If your child needs more support, like a backpack, connect with your school counselor.
Child attends a non-Title I school? Support is still available. Supplies are sent to elementary, middle, and high schools in the Western Dubuque, Dubuque, and East Dubuque area. Reach out to your school counselor to request assistance.
Need more information? Visit www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org/apples for full details.
From sharpened pencils to packed bags to first-day smiles, it’s all connected.
Want to help make sure every child feels that sense of readiness? Visit www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org/apples to learn more or make a gift.
Apples Week is a moment. But the belief behind it is what lasts: that every child deserves to start strong — and our community will keep showing up to make it happen.
