By Emily Laermer, Staff Writer
The costs of backpacks, pencils and binders can add up.
That’s why HomeFront, an organization that fights homelessness, has hosted its annual Back to School campaign for the past 20 years.
This year, over 100 sponsors helped approximately 800 children receive the supplies they need to start the school year. These sponsors included both individual and corporate donors.
”It gives kids the confidence they need to start school,” said Laura Trzasko, the HomeFront project coordinator. “These kids already need to worry about what they’re eating for lunch because their moms are on food stamps or what to do when they get home because they don’t have TVs. This program helps the kids feel better about themselves.”
The sponsors receive the ages and clothing sizes of the children they are sponsoring. They then buy a backpack and fill it with a first-day-of-school outfit and school supplies, such as rulers, notebooks and binders.
”It’s everything that the kids need to start school with,” Ms. Trzasko said.
Although the sponsors are only required to buy one outfit for each child they are sponsoring, some buy extra clothing.
”They are all amazing, helpful people,” Mr. Trzasko said. “Most sponsors are parents so they also have to outfit their own kids. To help other kids is just a great thing for the community.”
The children and parents picked up their backpacks Thursday and Monday.
”They could not be more thankful,” Ms. Trzasko said. “The sponsors do a great job in making sure that the children have enough and more.”
While HomeFront is pleased with the donations it has already received, there are still some children who have not received backpacks because of a lack of donations. The organization is putting together these backpacks and accepting donations. According to Ms. Trzasko, it costs $40 to $50 to buy supplies for each child.
To donate to the Back to School campaign, visit HomeFront’s Web site at homefrontnj.org, call Ms. Trzasko at 609-989-9417 or send a check to HomeFront, 1880 Princeton Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.
