United Way backpack and school supply drive underway

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)– The United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region (UWFH) is looking for donations of backpacks and school supplies for needy children in their service area.

The organization’s annual Blooming Backpacks drive is underway and will be accepting items through Thursday, August 8 at at UWFH’s Greenfield office, located at 51 Davis Street, or a free public event at the John Zon Community Center in Greenfield, on Thursday, August 8th from 5:00-6:30 PM.

The UWFH says that families that are struggling financially may not be able to purchase school supplies that are required by school departments. The school supply drive is a way to alleviate the burden on parents and guardians and help children be equipped with items needed for success in the classroom.

The event, organized by Women’s Way, an associated group of the UWFH, has provided hundreds of backpacks each year to students since 2005. Other community nonprofit partners include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western MA, Community Action Family Center and Youth Programs, the Mary Lyon Foundation, and Montague Catholic Social Ministries, who will distribute the supplies to students across the service region before the start of the school year.

A wish list of needed school supplies can be found on the Women’s Way website where you can also get information on how to RSVP for the August 8th event and learn more about donating to the drive, or email program@uw-fh.org, or call 413-584-3962 x102 or x105.

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