School buses are rumbling back to life and school grounds will swell with students sporting new backpacks filled with new supplies. At least that is the intention of more than 500 Seattle Times readers who so far have contributed to The Times editorial board’s annual school supplies drive.
The cost of those supplies, ranging from backpacks to calculators, can add up fast, swamping the family budgets of those in need. A little extra help can ease the burden on parents and buoy a young student’s confidence.
Our generous readers have contributed more than $120,000 for the cause so far. The drive runs annually from the Fourth of July through Labor Day. Every cent goes to our three partners devoted to youth success: YWCA Seattle-King-Snohomish, Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness and Hopelink. They distribute proceeds in the form of gift cards and backpacks stuffed with notebooks, paper, pencils and other supplies to aid learning.
Thank you, dear readers, for your commitment to helping so many of our youngest neighbors get the school year off to a good start with the tools to succeed.
How to help: The School Supplies Drive is part of The Seattle Times Fund For Those in Need, a registered 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization. The easiest way to donate is online at st.news/schoolsupplies. Checks may also be sent to: The Seattle Times School Supplies Drive, P.O. Box C-11025, Seattle, WA 98111; email questions to ffn@seattletimes.com.
