Burlington County is collecting donations of new school supplies, backpacks and other back to school items for local families in need.
The Burlington County Commissioners, Burlington County Sheriff’s Department and State Sen. Troy Singleton [D-7] announced their partnership for the collection/donation drive in a county press release on July 13.
“The start of the new school year is fast approaching and getting all the supplies students need can be a financial hardship for some families,” said Burlington County Commissioner Felicia Hopson, the board’s liaison to the Department of Human Services. “We want to make sure every child in Burlington County is properly equipped so we have once again teamed up with Sen. Singleton and the Sheriff’s Department to collect backpacks and back-to-school items to assist those families who may be struggling to provide the essentials.”
The collection/donation drive began on July 18 and will run through Aug. 19.
“Helping students begin the year with new backpacks and supplies is something our legislative office has done regularly,” Singleton said. “By joining forces with the County Commissioners and Sheriff’s Department, we hope to ensure even more students have the tools they need to succeed in the upcoming school year.”
The donations are being accepted at Burlington County libraries, the County Store at the Moorestown Mall, the lobbies of Burlington County buildings, the Sheriff’s Department Community Services Unit and Singleton’s legislative office at 400 North Church Street, Suite 260, Moorestown.
Suggested donations include backpacks, calculators, binders, paper, folders, notebooks, composition books, pencils, pencil cases, pens, crayons, markers, highlighters, erasers, small hand sanitizers, lunch boxes, scissors and index cards. Only new items will be accepted.
Last year, the partnership collected more than a thousand items that were distributed to families in need by the Tabernacle Baptist Church and other social services organizations. Additionally, this summer’s drive will also assist dozens of families currently being sheltered or supported by Providence House, a women’s shelter, in Delran, according to the press release.
Commissioner Allison Eckel said, “every child deserves to get the best education possible.”
Burlington County Undersheriff Jim Kostoplis said the partnership with County Commissioners and Singleton “is a perfect example of how working together can make a difference” especially as residents “are still trying to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.”