The Village Launches Back-To-School Drive

Inflation rates are hitting a record high this summer and families in Greater Hartford need help providing their children with new school supplies. On average, shoppers are expected to spend $168 more on school supplies this year compared to 2019.The Village for Families & Children, in partnership with Staples, has launched a Back-to-School Drive to help outfit 1,000 Greater Hartford students with the school supplies they need to return to school.At a press conference on Monday, Village President & CEO Galo Rodriguez announced the drive and shared about the increased need—and how the community can help.“At The Village we help support families holistically, and part of that is recognizing how financial stress has a direct impact on their mental health and overall well-being,” Rodriguez said. “We know that when children have the tools to learn and feel good about themselves, they’re in a better place to thrive and succeed.”Rodriguez shared that online donations to the Back-to-School can be made at thevillage.org/school. Donations of new school supplies can be made at partnering Staples locations in West Hartford, Glastonbury and West Simsbury from August 22-26, or at The Village’s Back-to-School Drive in-person event at Staples on Saturday, August 27 from 11:00am-1:00pm.Those who donate at the in-person event on August 27 will be entered to win a Staples gift card.West Hartford Staples General Manager Adnan Hoque, West Hartford Board of Education Chair Lorna Thomas-Farquharson and a family who will receive support from the Back-to-School Drive also spoke during the event about how this effort will be an asset to local families.Contact:Sarah Thompson, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications,The Village for Families & Children (c) 860-751-4179, sthompson@thevillage.orgAbout The VillageThe 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.