Redmond’s Hopelink collecting cash and school supplies for children in need

As part of its annual "Kids Need School Supplies" drive during the summer months, Hopelink is collecting school supplies to distribute to schoolchildren in low-income families to help ensure that these kids come to school ready to learn.

June 24, 2011 1:05 pm

As part of its annual “Kids Need School Supplies” drive during the summer months, Hopelink is collecting school supplies to distribute to schoolchildren in low-income families to help ensure that these kids come to school ready to learn.

Local donors – including companies, service organizations, churches and individuals – are banding together to collect monetary donations as well as a wide range of school supplies. In addition to Hopelink, other members of the School Supply Community Coalition include the Boeing Bluebills, Kirkland Interfaith Network, St. Jude’s and At Work.

Last year, 2,993 kids started school with a new backpack stuffed with supplies. With more local families turning to Hopelink’s food banks — demand was up 12 percent last year — more children than ever will likely need help getting ready for school. Many struggling parents are forced to choose between buying food for dinner and buying such basic supplies as a pack of pencils.

A new backpack filled with essential supplies is something a lot of children take for granted when school starts every fall. But for thousands of local children living in low-income families, going back to school is just another reminder of what they don’t have. Additionally, kids who lack the tools they need to do their work may lose ground in their struggle to build a future beyond poverty.

This year, the focus is on elementary-aged kids. Hopelink particularly needs two-inch binders, filler paper, spiral notebooks, folders, colored pencils, markers, glue, glue sticks, scissors and rulers along with the backpacks.

Schools participating in the program identify students who qualify for free and reduced lunch programs and the school supplies are distributed at each school. Currently, more than 98,000 children in the area get their breakfast and lunch through the schools’ free reduced meal programs, so the need for school supplies is great as well.

To make a donation of supplies or cash to be used to purchase supplies, call (425) 869-6000 or visit www.hope-link.org. Donations may also be made in person at any of Hopelink’s centers in Shoreline, Bothell, Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond or Carnation and will be accepted through August 12.

For more information, contact Erica Wright at (425) 943-7577 or ericam@hope-link.org.