The need for help this year is as great as ever for over 700 children that Lutheran Services Florida hopes to provide with backpacks and supplies for the start of the school year. With the loss of a key sponsor, our participation in their Back to School Drive is even more critical as we seek to make sure every child can start the school year off right with the tools they need to succeed. Each year, we partner with Lutheran Services Florida which has two programs in Pinellas County that protect children at risk of neglect and abuse right in our backyards:
- Case Management Organization (for children in foster care)
- Connecting Family Paths Diversion Program (for families who are on the verge of losing custody of their children and working to find a healthy path and avoid losing custody)
Children should never be affected by an adult’s wrong choices, but unfortunately, they are often the most vulnerable. These backpacks can help children in transition feel confidence and some sense of normalcy so they can begin a new year with excitement and joy.
Please note that our final collection and dedication for these school supplies is July 27th, a little earlier this year. The Back-to-School Drive will kick off on Sunday, July 6th. There will be collection bins at the entrances where you may donate:
- New backpacks
- Washable Markers / Crayons
- Colored Pencils
- #2 Pencils / Erasers
- Pens / Highlighters
- Notebooks / Folders
- 1.5” Binders & Lined Paper
- Glue Sticks
- Tissues / Paper Towels
- Hand Sanitizer
- Folders
- Monetary donations can also be made online
For more information, please reach out to Sallie ONeill within the church or Tina Villanueva at Lutheran Services of Florida. Sallie’s contact information is 727-214-8125 or salliedawn@hotmail. The Back to School website is at: lsfnet.org/backtoschool
Thank you in advance for your support for this donation drive. Last year, this was a great success and LSF programs were very eager to get the school supplies into the hands of children who needed it right away. You are a blessing!
