NEWPORT, Ky. — Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission Health and Safety Coordinator Katie Neuspickel lined up outside of Kroger in Newport on Saturday.

She, along with the Newport Police Department and the Kentucky Army National Guard, were collecting school supplies for the annual Cram the Cruiser event.

What You Need To Know

  •  Newport Police Department and the Kentucky Army National Guard helped put on the annual Cram the Cruiser event

  •  They were collecting school supplies that were donated by the community

  •  Supplies donated will be distributed at Newport Night Out and to schools in the community

  • Donated items help to set students up for success this upcoming school year

“Backpacks, crayons, disinfectant wipes, folders, glue sticks, markers, paper towels, pencils, scissors, tissues and anything else you can think of that a school might even need,” Neuspickel said about what they were collecting.

The goal is to distribute these donated school supplies at Newport Night Out, which takes place Aug. 8, 2023. Supplies also get distributed to schools in the community.

Newport PD Captain Paul Kunkel said this is an event they’ve been a part of for several years.

“The school year’s a long year. This stuff gets used continually. To do this event year after year shows the good neighbors we have in our community,” he said.

Neuspickel said the event can help families who don’t have the funds to collect all their own school supplies. She said she knows funding may not always be available in schools and that she was glad to see the community show up and help.

“It is very nice to see the community come together and some people that do donate have a big heart. It takes that to be able to give, and just to give without expecting something back,” she said.

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