Help children be back-to-school ready. Where to give backpacks school supplies, underwear

Ways to help our children be back-to-school ready!

Mathewson Street Church – special request

Yes, we know backpacks and notebooks are important to get back to school, but for some youth, having clean, new underwear makes a huge difference. The Mathewson Street Church at 134 Mathewson Street in downtown Providence is requesting donations of socks and underwear. So, as you buy your little ones new clothes for school, toss in a pack of undies and socks and bring them to the church 9am to 2pm on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday.

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Tides Family Services Back-to-School Backpack Drive to support local children

Tides Family Services, a dedicated community-based nonresidential children’s behavioral health provider with six locations across Rhode Island, is excited to announce its annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive to ensure local children start the school year with the tools they need to succeed. The drive will collect essential school supplies, such as notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, and backpacks and binders to be distributed to children in need. Donations will be accepted until August 21.

As the new school year approaches, Tides Family Services recognizes the importance of equipping students with the necessary resources to excel academically. Many Rhode Island families face financial constraints, and the Back-to-School Backpack Drive offers an opportunity for everyone to contribute and make a positive impact.

“We believe that every child deserves a chance to thrive and reach their full potential,” said Beth Lemme-Bixby, CEO of Tides Family Services. “By providing school supplies, we hope to alleviate some of the burdens that families may face and set our local children up for success in the classroom.”

Community members are invited to drop off their contributions at the Tides Family Services’ West Warwick office located at 215 Washington St. Donations will be accepted until August 21, ensuring that all collected items are distributed to students before the start of the school year.

Tides Family Services encourages everyone in the community to join this initiative and support local children in their educational journey. Your generosity can make a significant difference in the lives of young learners and contribute to a stronger, brighter future for our community.

For more information about the Back-to-School Backpack Drive and how you can contribute, please contact Lindsay Morrison by email [email protected] or by phone 401-822-1360.

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School Supply Give-Away Party – August 19th – southern Rhode Island

We will be hosting a live radio remote broadcast Back-To-School-Event School Supply Give-Away Party in Westerly, RI next Saturday. School Supplies and Child Safety Coloring Posters will be included in every Free Backpack given away to the Kids. School Supply donations help us!

Kids, Cops & Classrooms

Local police, state police, federal police – and Cardi’s Furniture – and Ocean State Job Lot are collecting items such as new backpacks and supplies. Needed items are: pens, pencils, pencil boxes, 3-ring binders (1″, 1 1/2″, 2″), book covers, dividers, etc. Bring your donations up until TODAY, August 15th to any RI State Police barracks or any Cardi’s Furniture.

• Backpacks (all sizes)
• • #2 pencils
• • Pens
• • Pencil boxes
• • Boxes of crayons
• • Spiral notebooks
• • 3-ring binders (1, 1 ½, 2 inches)
• • Subject dividers
• • Book covers
• • Index cards
• • Pencil sharpeners
• • Rulers (inches and centimeters)
• • Protractors
• • Compasses
• • Scientific calculators
• • Calculators
• • Dictionary (pocket size)
• • Thesaurus (pocket size)

• • Assignment book/planners
• • Mini-staplers and staples
• • USB flash drives
• • Facial tissues
• • Antibacterial hand sanitizer
• • Boxes of colored pencils
• • Boxes of washable markers
• • Highlighters
• • Watercolor paint sets
• • Pads of coloring paper
• • Large pink erasers
• • Glue sticks
• • Bottles of glue (Elmer’s type)
• • Safety scissors
• • Two-pocket folders
• • Composition books
• • Wide-rule loose-leaf paper
• • Graph paper

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Our 24th Back to School Event

We are exited to present our 24th Back to School Event featuring 12 sites located at convenient location through out the state. Come join us Saturday, August 26th from 10am  to 1pm.

We ask you to please continue your commitment with the Back to School of Rhode Island to help make the 24th Anniversary of our Annual Back to School event a success. Now, more than ever, working families need our help to make sure that children have appropriate school supplies at the start of the school year. Your engagement and commitment will ensure that we are able to distribute free backpacks full of school supplies to at least 20,000 students across Rhode Island in 2023.

We will host the event at 12 Community Locations

• Jenks Middle School (August 26, 2023 10:00)
• West Warwick (August 26, 2023 10:00)

• Veterans Memorial Elementary School (August 26, 2023 10:00)
• West End Community Center – Providence (August 26, 2023 10:00)

• East Bay Community Action Program (August 26, 2023 10:00)
• Providence Community Health Center (August 26, 2023 10:00)

• Woonsocket (August 26, 2023 10:00)
• Warwick (August 26, 2023 10:00)

Further more information

This year, we will resume packing supplies @ Sodexo, 25 Royal Little Drive, Providence. 

Packing Dates- Friday, August 11th 8 am- 2 pm & Saturday August 12th 8 am – 12 noon.

Your company has the opportunity to volunteer at any of the 12 locations and/or have a resource table during the event. 

https://www.btsri.org/Downloads/Back%20to%20School%20English.pdf
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Support The Arc Rhode Island Annual Backpack Drive

Children with disabilities have had enormous difficulties and lag far behind their peers in school due to the pandemic and lack of services. Many of the 3,500 families we serve are struggling to just put food on their tables daily. September is looming and their ability to purchase school supplies is becoming increasingly difficult as prices for food and gas rise.

We are asking for your support today in order to purchase backpacks, school supplies, or anything else our families may need as they prepare to return to school in the Fall.

With your help this year’s event WILL be bigger and better! We surpassed our goal set for this year’s Annual Backpack Drive because of your support – THANK YOU!

Please don’t let our most vulnerable kids down and donate today. (https://donate.thearc.org/give/498300/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=RhodeIsland)

More info, here: https://ri.thearc.org/annual-backpack-drive/

Editor’s Note: To give right in your backyard, call your local elementary, middle or senior high and ask if you can donate money – or items – or call the local school department. They will probably know exactly who needs the donation to get off to a good year of learning. The school secretary is a wealth of information! Or contact your school’s PTA/PTO.