WATERTOWN, N.Y. - We have covered this drive in the past and will cover it again.
The Watertown Urban Mission may not be the easiest to get to right now with all of the construction, but it's important to remind people, whether they need a service or are donating to one, it is open.
This backpack drives helps so many students in the area. In fact, the Urban Mission says more than 1,100 students received a backpack and starter kit of school supplies last year alone.
It expects to get at least that many requests again this year so it is asking for help.
Here is the note the Urban Mission sent to us today.
While you are on summer vacation, now is a great time to start thinking about your neighbors in need as you set aside your gently used backpacks and school supplies your child will not need for next school year.
“Many students are fortunate enough to start each school year with a new backpack and school supplies, but for thousands of their peers in greater Jefferson County whose families can’t afford these supplies, the start of the school year is a struggle,” said Joanna Loomis, executive director of the Watertown Urban Mission. “We hope that, rather than throwing out your child’s old backpack, you donate it to ensure another child has a backpack for next year.”
“Over the last several years, we continue to see the need for school supplies and backpacks grow,” said Robert Bowen, the Watertown Urban Mission’s critical needs coordinator. “Every year, this community steps up and you provide the school supplies to meet this growing need. We expect to respond to 1,100 or more requests for assistance and once again, we need your help to meet that need with school supplies and gently used backpacks, which we are collecting in July and August in preparation for this year’s distribution in late August. Thank you in advance for your generosity and for your continued response to meeting these needs.”
Each backpack is tailored for different age groups so that pre-K and Kindergarten students receive age appropriate supplies, while elementary, middle school and high school students receive supplies appropriate for their needs. These backpacks are pre-packed and the students have the opportunity just before the school year starts to come to the Mission in late August and pick out their favorite one, giving each child supplies they need, while also maintaining a sense of dignity for the family.
To donate your backpack or other school supplies to the Critical Needs Program, simply bring them to the drop off zone behind the Watertown Urban Mission and Impossible Dream Thrift Store at 247 Factory St., Watertown, or contact the Mission offices at 315-782-8440.
Items that you can donate to help your neighbors in need include: backpacks (new or gently used), pencils, pens, crayons, markers, highlighters, colored pencils, lined filler paper, spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, index cards, 1” binders, calculators (simple or scientific), pencil boxes, rulers, scissors, glue sticks,
pocket folders and hand sanitizer. Thank you for your support.