Here in our school district, school starts next week! I’m not exactly sure where the summer went. But we’ve got to rally and get into back-to-school mode around here. Earlier bedtimes, stricter schedules, homework, backpacks and school supplies.
We bought our school supplies through the school PTA this year but many families are trekking to Target, WalMart, USToy and the Dime Store this week to gather their pencils, markers, notebooks and lunch boxes. Other families won’t have that luxury. But we can help.
This year, SAFEHOME (an amazing service provider for families affected by domestic violence) anticipates providing hundreds of children with school supplies during SAFEHOME’s annual back-to-school shopping night. Their shelves are pretty bare. Donations or gift cards to purchase school supplies are greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in donating any of the items on today’s Immediate Needs List, please contact SAFEHOME’s Administration Line at 913-432-9300 to schedule a time to drop off your donation. Gift cards and gift card receipts can be mailed to SAFEHOME, P.O. Box 4563, Overland Park, KS, 66204.
Here’s what they need ASAP:
Crayola Crayons (16 & 24 count)
Assorted Colored Pencils
Felt Tip Markers (water soluble)
Dry Erase Markers
Sharpies
Elmer’s or Ross Glue (8oz. & 12 oz. bottles)
Glue Sticks
Erasers
No. 2 Pencils
Pencil Boxes
Ball-point Pens (blue or black ink)
Scissors
Rulers
Protractors
Kleenex
Crayola or Prang Water Colors (Oval 8)
Wide-line Spiral Notebook
Loose Leaf Notebook Paper (3 hole punched)
Pocket Folders
Note Cards
Note Cards Dividers
Hand Sanitizer
Baby Wipes (Non-alcohol)
Back Packs
New Tennis Shoes (All sizes for Boys and Girls)
Graphing Calculators
Paint Shirts
If you are interested in helping SAFEHOME’s kids in other ways, please take a look at their Amazon WishList for items needed for their children’s center. Another fantastic Kansas City community resource with an Amazon WishList is Children’s TLC (find their WishList here).
Buy something for SAFEHOME or Children’s TLC from the WishLists and your hand-picked donation will be shipped directly to those organizations and put into immediate use for the kids. It couldn’t be any easier!
So, this back-to-school season, take care of your kids and then help out a few more while you’re at it!
Do you required new items or can gently used calculators be donated?
RS – I checked with SAFEHOME and they said gently used calculators are fine. Things like car seats, cribs, pillows, and underwear (from the WishList) all need to be new. Thanks!!!
I am planning on making a flyer to give our elementary school parents at Back-to-School night this week letting them know we’ll collect extra school supplies for Safehome the first week of school by placing a box in our lobby. Next Friday, a couple of us can drive it down to Safehome.
Thanks Sheila! (I think SAFEHOME has a confidential location for the security of their clients – so you’ll definitely want to call them for donation instructions!)