ORLEANS – The Homeless Prevention Council has teamed up with the Nauset Rotary Club for the 17th year of the Backpack to School Program.
For almost two decades, HPC has provided custom, age-appropriate backpacks and school supplies to over 1,400 local kids.
The idea was born because a lot of families have to focus their spending on things like rent, electricity, and food, meaning school supplies are not a top priority.
This often leaves lower-income kids unprepared for class and puts them at an academic disadvantage.
“The backpacks are getting more and more expensive and the teachers don’t have the support to buy the supplies anymore so we started donating backpacks in 2002 through the backpack to school program,” said Backpack to School Coordinator Maureen Linehan.
This year the HPC and the Rotary Club will be giving kids new shoes along with the backpacks and school supplies so that students can start the year off on the right foot.
So far the Rotary Club has raised $5,000 to provide gift certificates to help parents purchase shoes.
“It’s a wonderful program because if you add up how much it’s going to cost for the backpack and the supplies it’s usually $100 per bag,” continued Linehan.
“If you have four children that’s $400.”
HPC is collecting donations to purchase additional supplies, backpacks, and gift cards to various shoe stores.
Anyone interested in donating school supplies in lieu of money for gift cards, three ringed binders are always needed.
Any donations can be sent or dropped off at the HPC office, located at 14 Old Tote Road in Orleans.
Donations can also be brought directly to the HPC’s Backpack to School event, which will happen at the Staples Plaza in Orleans on August 26th.
For further information, contact HPC at 508 255 9667.