Students head back to school in a week, and, just as in previous generations, they’ll show off their new backpacks, lunchboxes, and folders to friends, asking to see the friend’s new school goodies in exchange. It’s a back-to-school tradition. But for some families, this tradition is a challenge, a financial burden that the pandemic has exacerbated. In our area, there are several organizations accepting back-to-school materials that will be given to families and students in need. Here is an outline of all the drives in our area now.
School supply drive to benefit Branches Long Island
From Aug. 9 to Aug. 31, the office of New York State assemblyman Joe DeStefano is coordinating a school supply drive to benefit Branches Long Island, a nonprofit organization based in Middle Island. Supplies needed include pencils, pens, crayons, erasers, scissors, three-ring binders, backpacks, folders, paper and notebooks.
For more information, call DeStefano’s office at (631) 207-0073.
Where to donate:
Assemblyman Joe DeStefano’s office at 3245 Route 112, Medford
Patchogue-Medford Library at 54-60 East Main Street, Patchogue
South Country Library at 22 Station Road, Bellport
Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Library at 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley
CVS at 1565 Route 112, Medford
2021-2022 school supply drive
Suffolk County Legis. Rob Calarco, the Boys & Girls Club of Bellport and Pronto of Long Island came together to host the 2021-2022 School Supply Drive from Aug. 11 to Sept. 20. The supply drive will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Bellport and Pronto of Long Island.
Where to donate:
Suffolk County Legislature at 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge
INTERFACE back-to-school drive
The Town of Brookhaven’s Youth Bureau will host the INTERFACE Back to School Supply Drive from July 30 to Aug. 27. They’re calling on residents to donate “pens, calculators, backpacks, notebooks, lunchboxes, folders, glue, binders and more.”
“Last year, the Youth Bureau was able to collect enough supplies to help over 1,200 children prepare for school,” according to a Facebook page about the drive.
Where to donate:
Brookhaven Town Hall lobby at 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville
Brookhaven Vehicle Control Building at 550 N. Ocean Avenue, Patchogue
Modular Devices at 1 Roned Road, Shirley
All For You Hair Salon at 161 Long Island Avenue, Holtsville
Lighthouse Mission Back-2-School Drive
Lighthouse Mission is hosting the Back-2-School Drive and asking for donations of all school supplies. Donations are accepted year-round at the facility and are “targeted to help local children with the greatest need,” according to a flyer. August is a special time for Lighthouse Mission because they partner with social workers from local school districts to get school supplies to children who especially need them for the start of the school year.
Where to donate:
Lighthouse Mission at 1543 Montauk Highway, Bellport
Patchogue-Medford Youth and
Community Services drive
Patchogue-Medford Youth and Community Services (PMYCS) is a nonprofit organization that helps local youth with education, outreach, support and counseling. They are looking for a variety of school supplies, including markers, index cards, notebooks, folders, Post-its and glue sticks. For more information, call them at (631) 758-4100.
Where to donate:
390 Bay Avenue, Patchogue
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