The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team and a group of local parent leaders are collecting school supplies for students to put their best foot forward in the upcoming school year. This year, the team hopes to double the number of filled backpacks to ensure students are prepared for the new year.
“It was an awesome group of parents. We heard about what they were able to do and how they were able to serve more than 100 families. It seemed like a great opportunity,” said Vanessa Gill, family and engagement coordinator.
Parent leaders came together through the Anti-Racists for a Better 279 Events Facebook group and began organizing the drive. After their first school supply drive, parent leaders saw a need to reach more people within the community, and FACE was eager to partner. In this new partnership, the team is working to fill 200 backpacks for students.
“We want to set families up for success so that each scholar has what they need to succeed,” said Gill.
There are many items needed including crayons, folders and pencils, but one of the big items that makes the school supply drive a success is backpacks. For additional accepted items, view the school supply lists on school websites. Donations are being accepted until Aug. 17 at the main entrance of the Educational Service Center, 11200 93rd Ave. N.