Help students get ready for school with “Packs for School” drive

Full backpacks and individual supply donations are accepted.

August 5, 2014; 10:59 AM • by Richard Hayes

As the of summer sneaks up on us and the local Target begins its Back to School barrage it’s easy to forget that there are local students who aren’t able to afford all the bits and pieces that are crammed into backpacks across the city.

The Commonwealth Catholic Charities have kicked off a three week “Packs for School” drive to gather 300 backpacks full of some of the supplies that kids need to be ready for school.

All donated items can be dropped off at the Science Museum of Virginia (2500 W Broad St) and ACAC in Midlothian (11621 Robious Rd) and Glen Allen (2201 Old Brick Rd) in the marked boxes located inside the main entrances.

More information from the press release.

The school supplies will benefit clients of CCC who would otherwise not be able to purchase necessary items for the coming school year, including children who come through Homeless Point of Entry, teens and children in the foster care system and children of refugee families.

“Every day, we see children and their families who are in need of the most basic items,” said Joanne Nattrass, executive director of CCC. “Through the ‘Packs for School’ drive, these children will not have to suffer both the embarrassment and disadvantage of being without the supplies they need to start the school year. We are so grateful for our community’s kindness and generosity, and we thank everyone in advance for helping us to get these children ready for school.”
A complete list of needed school supplies can be found on the Commonwealth Catholic Charities website at http://cccofva.org/packs-for-school-supply-drive/.

Commonwealth Catholic Charities has worked since 1923 to relieve human suffering and restore hope, dignity and opportunity to Virginia’s residents, irrespective of their faith or religious affiliation. Annually, CCC provides close to 39,000 infants, children, teens, families and seniors with the kind of enduring support that empowers them to overcome whatever hardship or circumstances they are confronting.

If you can, buy a backpack and fill it with the following. You can also simply buy some of the items listed and donate those and they’ll be used to fill out incomplete backpacks or passed out as needed.