Yonkers Hosting 'Backpack To School' Donation Drive For Families In Need

YONKERS, N.Y. - With the academic year approaching, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is launching the city’s annual “Backpack to School” drive to ensure that every student it properly outfitted to head back to the classroom.

Each year, dozens of backpacks filled with school supplies are donated to children in need in Yonkers.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Zak Failla

08/16/2017 6:00 a.m.

Each year, the city hosts a drive to provide backpacks and school supplies to Yonkers Public School students that are most in need. This is the sixth consecutive year Spano has teamed with Heavenly Productions and Empire City Casino.

This year, items donated will be provided to students of Scholastic Academy for Academic Excellence.

“Back to school supplies are expensive and can be a big financial burden for working families, especially those who have more than one child in school,” Spano stated. “I encourage the entire community to join our Backpack to School Drive and lend a helping hand to those students most in need.”

According to the National Retail Federation, the national average spent on back to school supplies is $29.5 Billion. Parent spend hundreds of dollars on back to school items, including school supplies, clothing, shoes and electronics totaling to more than $600 per child.

“Our families do their best to provide new backpacks and school supplies for their children. And for many of our families that can be difficult,” Schools Superintendent Edwin Quezada noted. “The Mayor’s annual drive energizes an entire school community who are so appreciative for the extra help. The exhilaration on the students’ faces when they receive the backpacks is wonderful.”

Items for donation include crayons, rulers, colored pencils, pocket folders and glue sticks. A complete list can be found here.

Donations can be made at Backpack to School drop-off locations, including Yonkers City Hall, Robert W. Cacace Justice Center, 87 Nepperhan Government Building, Yonkers Riverfront Library, Grinton I. Will Library, Crestwood Library and each of the city’s four police precincts. Donations will be accepted through Aug. 28.

“Families with children returning to school have a heavy financial burden at this time of year, and it’s important that the community lend a helping hand,” Empire City’s President, Tim Rooney said in a statement. “We’re proud of the funds we generate each year to support teachers and students across the state and encourage all who are able to do what they can to support the Backpack to School Drive.”

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