Each July and August, Citizens Bank purchases backpacks and invites donations of school supplies at its bank branches. HCEF also accepts backpacks filled with the requisite supplies from individuals and organizations. Additional support this year came from Monroeville Mall, Monroeville Library, Department for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Penn Hills Girl Scouts, Huntington Bank, Alpha Delta Kappa, and — as always — many individual donors.
This multi-pronged effort ensures that on that important first day of school, all children and youths living in supportive housing for families have a brand new backpack of their choice - one that is filled with the required educational supplies appropriate to their age.
Monday, August 20 was backpack delivery day. Staff and volunteers from Citizens Bank and HCEF loaded 2,300 backpacks filled with school supplies onto three schoolbuses in front of Citizens Bank in downtown Pittsburgh.
Present to show their support were State Senator Wayne Fontana, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Heidi Navala and Seth Hufford from the County Controller Chelsa Wagner's office, and members from the HCEF Board of Trustees.
HCEF staff and volunteers then headed out to 22 of our partner housing facilities. Additional agencies throughout the region received backpacks later in the week, bringing the total number of backpacks for children in need to over 4,000.
While giving a backpack to a child may seem a modest gesture, for the child receiving it, that book bag is a proud possession. With it, the child is just another boy or girl going to school, ready to learn. For a struggling parent, there is tremendous relief in knowing that their child will have the required school supplies they might not be able to easily provide.
We applaud the many folks who made donations through Citizens Bank offices and directly to HCEF.
See the full Gear for Grades 2012 photo story here!!!
Homeless Children's Education Fund • 2020 Smallman Street - Second Floor • Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone (412) 562-0154 • Fax (412) 562-1109 • info@homelessfund.org
The Homeless Children's Education Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with United Way Donor Option #963315. Donations
are tax deductible in accordance with IRS rules and regulations. The official registration and financial information of the Homeless
Children's Education Fund may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.
Registration does not imply endorsement.
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