The Houston area is a very diverse community with hundreds of schools and several districts throughout. For many families in our community back to school means a sigh of relief that the summer "fun" is over, for others it means a drain on an already tight budget as they try to provide for school supplies and clothing for their children. There are several donations and collections taking place throughout the Houston area that can benefit families across the region. Find out how you can help and which organizations may be able to help you.
YMCA Operation Backpack
The YMCA, Shoe Carnival and HEB is sponsoring Operation Backpack to benefit many area school districts from The Woodlands to Houston ISD. You simply purchase a new backpack, fill it with items provided in a recommended school supply list, include a note of support and encouragement (if you like) and drop your backpack off at Houston area YMCA's, Shoe Carnivals or HEB.
If you can't donate a backpack, all school supply donations are welcomed at Houston greater area YMCA's. This effort continues through Aug. 14.
Here is a list of drop off locations.
St. Arnold's School Supply Drive - Find out more about this worthy effort that takes place on Aug. 3, 2011 in the Houston Craft Beer Examiner's column.
Operation School Supplies (OSS)
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Operation School Supplies sponsored by the Houston Alumni Organization (HAO), Houston Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and H-E-B. The campus drive begins Monday, June 27 and ends Monday, Aug. 8 and prizes may be awarded to the University department with the greatest number of donations.
The campus drive is part off the citywide effort Houstonians can bring school supplies to area H-E-B grocery stores, purchase Coca-Cola products and contribute cash through the scan card system. A portion of the revenues generated from the sale of Coca-Cola products will be donated to OSS.
Sponsors include FOX 26 KRIV-Houston, UPN 20, the Houston Zoo, Clear Channel (Sunny 99.1), the Houston Astros, the United Way of Texas Gulf Coast and Houston Community Newspapers.
Supplies for Students
Supplies for Students is a school supply drive to benefit Deer Park, Pasadena, La Porte and Pearland Independent School Districts. Sponsored by the Shell Furthering Community Unity (FCU) Last year the FCU Team with the help of their employees, members, community and local businesses raised $5,669 for this one event. Until August 15, 2011 cash donations as well as school supplies can be dropped off at any Shell FCU branch location. To learn more about this effort or to find location near you visit Go Volunteer or call or call (713) 844-0625 .
Stuff the School Bus
GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, one of the largest retail electric providers in the United States, will again join Cox Media Group and Kroger in sponsoring the 2011 "Stuff the School Bus" event, an education initiative designed to collect school supplies for Houston-area students. Collection barrells willl be available at Houston area Krogers . Shoppers can purchase a pre-packaged bag of school supplies for $7.00 and drop them off in the barrel. This drive with a goal of 10,000 school supply packages is designed to benefit Pearland, Alvin and Tomball ISDs.
Back to School Fest
Would your business or organization like to host a back to school supply drive to benefit Houston ISD? Become involved by participating in the Back to School Fest. The Back to School Fest will provide approximately 25,000 school students and their families with school supplies, uniforms, vaccinations, and information from HISD and local area organizations. You can help by taking up collections and dropping them off or shipping them to Robert Bell, HISD Warehouse, Bldg. 2, 228 McCarty Drive, Houston, TX 77029. Call at least one day in advance to arrange for delivery by contacting Dr. Gwendolyn Samples, Community Liaison, HISD Strategic Partnerships at 713-556-7214 or gsamples@houstonisd.org or Carl Davis, Senior Community Liaison, City of Houston at carl.davis@houston.tx.gov or 832-393-0955.
Another way to support the Back to School Fest is to sponsor an assembled backpack. Elementary backpacks are $20 each. Middle school and high school backpacks are $25 each.
Make checks payable to: HISD
List in the memo line: For Assembled Backpack:
Mail by July 22, 2011 to:
Strategic Partnerships
1SE01, Houston Independent School District
4400 West 18th Street
Houston, TX 77092-8501.
Find out more about the Back to School Fest and HISD collection goals here.
As you prepare for back to school keep a few thoughts in mind:
Ideas, Benefits and Resources for Parental Involvement at School
5 Money Saving Tips: How to Buy School Supplies in Bulk
Back to School Guide: Preventing Morning Madness
Back to School Guide: Parenting Tips for Creating an After School Routine
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