Catholic Charities accepting school supplies donations

ELMIRA, N.Y. ( WETM ) – Catholic Charities is asking for help from the community for its “Back to School Drive” which will provide students in Chemung and Schuyler counties with school supply starter kits and backpacks to begin the school year.

From now until Aug. 14, Catholic Charities and local businesses in both Chemung and Schuyler counties will be accepting new school supply donations for the drive. Supplies that are being collected include colored pencils, composition notebooks (wide ruled), erasers (not pencil top), folders (two pockets), pencil pouches, pencils and scissors (blunt tip). Donations will be accepted at the various locations listed below.

In Chemung County, Catholic Charities and Strong Kids Safe Kids have partnered with the following businesses to offer drop-off locations:

• Chapel Park
  • 83 Personius Road, Pine City
• Chemung County Library District (Big Flats, Horseheads, Steele Memorial and West Elmira locations)
  • 78 Canal St., Big Flats
  • 405 S. Main St., Horseheads
  • 101 E. Church St., Elmira
  • 1231 W. Water St., West Elmira
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • 425 Pennsylvania Ave. #107, Elmira
• Corning Community College (Elmira campus)
  • 318 Madison Ave., Elmira
• Department of Aging
  • 425 Pennsylvania Avenue, Human Resource Center, Elmira
• Mr. Panosian’s Famous Shoes
  • 303 N. Main St., Elmira
• Parmenter Tire, Auto & Truck Service
  • 81 Old Ithaca Rd., Horseheads
• The Purple Iris Boutique
  • 705 S. Main St., Horseheads
• Tranquility Beauty Shop
  • 211 S. Main St., Horseheads
• Treu Office Supply & Furniture
  • 110 Lake St., Elmira

In Schuyler County, Catholic Charities has partnered with the following businesses to offer drop-off locations:

• Chemung Canal Trust Company (Montour Falls & Watkins Glen)
  • 303 W. Main St., Montour Falls
  • 318 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen
• Famous Brands
  • 412 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen
• Parmenter Tire, Auto & Truck Service (Odessa & Montour Falls)
  • 103 Railroad St., Odessa
  • 2640 NY-14, Montour Falls
• Quinlan’s Pharmacy
  • 336 W. Main St., Montour Falls
• The Hi-Lites
  • 217 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen
• Visions Federal Credit Union
  • 513 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen
• Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Visitor Center
  • 214 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen
• Watkins Glen Public Library
  • 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen

Donations will also be accepted at the Catholic Charities Main Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 215 E. Church St. in Elmira and the Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. at 112 10th St. in Watkins Glen.

After Aug. 14 when all supplies are collected, distribution events will take place in both counties.

In Schuyler County, supplies will be distributed on Aug. 27 and Aug. 29 through the Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry. To receive backpacks and school supply starter kits, you must pre-register by Aug. 23 at noon. Registration will be available online beginning on Aug. 1.

In Chemung County, supplies will be distributed on Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the annual Strong Kids Safe Kids event at the Chemung County Fairgrounds. No registration is required to receive supplies at this event. New backpacks will be available for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

For more information about the drive, contact Katie Rhodes by email at katie.rhodes@dor.org or call 607-734-9784.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.