(ASBURY PARK, N.J.) --- As inflation continues to rise, families with students in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of more than $800 on items this year.
The National Retail Foundation's finding is why the City of Asbury Park is partnering with the Department of Recreation and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for a back-to-school drive.
The drive will provide school supplies to local students at the Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County and Community Karma, helping to ease the financial burden on local families while promoting educational success.
“Every child deserves to start the school year with the tools they need to succeed,” said Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn in the August 7 press release. “We want our students to feel just as ready as they are excited for a new school year.”
(Photo Credit: Pexels/Anastasia Shuraeva)
Quinn explains that this partnership shows that Asbury Park is showing up for kids and giving every student the strong start they deserve.
The Community Karma Back-to-School Giveaway, on Saturday, August 22, is a free family fun event, packed with balloon animals, face painting, Asbury Book Cooperative book giveaways, Kona Ice, hot dogs and burgers, cotton candy, library card registration, and more.
The giveaway plans to support more than 1,000 children, from Pre-K through high school, to start the school year.
“Registration is not required to attend the event, but for those who pre-registered, we will ensure that we hold the correct grade-level backpack for them,” said Celia Cattani, Founder of Community Karma. “We have over 1,200 kids pre-registered (pre-registration is currently closed), but our goal is to be able to hand out over 1,600 backpacks with grade-level school supplies on August 22.”
Community Karma donations of backpacks and school supplies can be coordinated directly with Cattani.
The Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County Back-to-School Block Party, on Saturday, August 29, is a free community event featuring a bounce house, food, games, raffles and distribution of backpacks and school supplies.
No pre-registration is required, and community members are welcome to help out during the event by assisting with activities, distributing supplies and helping ensure the day runs smoothly.
(Photo Credit: OpGov.News/AI Image)
“We are currently most in need of backpacks and school supplies to help ensure we have enough for all of the children who attend,” said Destiny Smith, Chief Impact Officer at the Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County. “Supplies for school-aged youth of all ages, from elementary to high school, would be greatly appreciated.”
Smith added that donating new backpacks, school supplies, or monetary donations are welcome, as that allows the club to fill the gaps.
Cattani mentioned that if their organization has any extra materials after their event, they will coordinate with Smith if they have any needs. The remainder will be donated to schools for teachers' supplies.
The Department of Recreation and the Community Development Block Grant Program extend their sincere appreciation in the press release to everyone who contributed to making this initiative possible.
"Together, these efforts help ensure that local students begin the academic year equipped for success and reinforce the City's dedication to fostering opportunity, education, and community well-being," according to the program.
For more information on the Boys & Girls Club Back-to-School Block Party, see here. Donations can be made here.
To sign up to help pack backpacks and volunteer for the Community Karma Back-to-School Giveaway, click here. Financial donations can be made here.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please get in touch with me at angelica.n@lead4earth.org.
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