Village, Staples partner to help Hartford families in need before school starts on Aug. 29
Hartford, Conn. Children in Hartford return to school in just one week, but many will need adequate supplies such as backpacks, pencils and uniforms to begin the school year. The Village for Families & Children has partnered with local Staples Stores to launch a Back-to-School Drive and ensure children in need have the tools to succeed.
The goal is to outfit 1,000 students with essential supplies before school begins in Hartford on August 29 and ease the financial stress local families face at the start of a new school year, especially as back-to-school costs reached an all-time high this year.
Online donations to The Village Back-to-School Drive can be made at thevillage.org/school.
Donations of new school supplies can be made at partnering Staples locations in Glastonbury, Newington, Simsbury, West Hartford and Vernon now through August 26. Those who donate will be entered to win a Staples gift card.
According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary through high school will spend an average of $890 on school items, which is about $25 more than last year’s record of $864.
“We know that children are in a better place to thrive and will feel confident and prepared from the very first day of school when they have these basic supplies,” said Village President and CEO Galo Rodriguez. “Families we serve need help to provide these crucial items. This drive will give them one less thing to worry about.”
The Village Back-to-School Drive is part of an annual effort to distribute 1,000 backpacks to Hartford school children before the start of the school year. The Village will distribute backpacks and supplies to local families at a back-to-school giveaway next Monday.
Contact:
Sarah Thompson, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications,
The Village for Families & Children (c) 860-751-4179, sthompson@thevillage.org
About The Village
The Village for Families & Children was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, The Village provides a full range of behavioral health, early and childhood youth development, substance use treatment, and support services for children, families and adults in the Greater Hartford region. Learn more at thevillage.org.