Appeals for Donated School Supplies: Rowayton Church’s Drive Runs Till Aug 15; Darien Human Services’ Runs Aug 13 to 30

Children will start the school year with new backpacks filled with school must-haves, thanks to the backpack drive conducted annually by the United Church of Rowayton for the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

— an announcement from the United Church of Rowayton’s Board of Christian Outreach, followed by information on a similar school supplies drive from the Darien Human Services Department.

From now until Aug. 15, the meeting house behind the church at 210 Rowayton Avenue will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to receive backpacks.

Suggested items are tissues, colored pencils, pens, crayons, geometric stencils, compasses, erasers, rulers, tape, file folders, glue sticks, scissors, notebooks, paper, pencils, pencil sharpeners, white out, staplers, staples and calculators. Only a few of the items need to be included.

The loaded backpacks will be delivered to the DCF for distribution directly to needy students from kindergarten to high school.

Wisenite Laurent of the DCF says, “We have a list of needy students and deliver the backpacks directly to children in their home.

“The students are so surprised and happy to be given the backpacks,” says Laurent, “The backpacks are filled with items they need for the new school year.

“The parents are happy, too, because school supplies are increasingly expensive.”

This is the fifth year of the backpack drive, organized by the church’s Board of Christian Outreach (BOCO).

“The drive is a very successful program,” says Bill Peltz, BOCO chairman.

“It is designed to help children start the school year with much-needed supplies,” says Peltz.

“It is a great way for students to start the school year.”

For questions, text, email or phone Bill Peltz at (203) 858-0230 or whpeltz@gmail.com.

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Darien Back to School Program

The Darien Department of Human Services quarterly report for April through June 2018 mentions the upcoming drive for school supplies. A more detailed announcement from the department is expected later:

• We are preparing for our Back to School program, which begins on Aug. 13, 2018 and runs through Aug. 30, 2018. Last year we provided back packs, school supplies and a Payless gift card to 124 children. This year we anticipate roughly the same number of children. We will be providing Kohl’s gift cards this year, instead of Payless. We hope this will give families a greater selection to choose from when back-to-school shopping.
• Tokeneke and Ox Ridge Schools both had spring fundraisers to benefit our Back to School Program. Parents of elementary school students were given the option to donate to the Back to School Program when pre-ordering their child’s school supplies. Last year, Tokeneke donated close to $800 through their fundraiser.
• We plan to spread the word about the Back to School program through social media. We hope to reach potentially eligible residents or those interested in donating.

An announcement on the town government website:

The Back-to-School Program helps eligible Darien school children get off to a good start with backpacks, school supplies and gift certificates for shoes or sneakers.

The Department of Human Services is in particular need of new, large backpacks in blue or black which can be purchased at Costco or any major retailer.  (Large backpacks are currently on sale at Costco for $15.99).

The Back-to-School Program is one of the many services that the Department of Human Services provides to the residents of Darien.  If you’re interested in donating, please contact the Human Services Department in Town Hall.

Human Services -Room 109
203-656-7328

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Other back-to-school-related stories:

• From Now Till Darien’s First Day of School, Events for Teachers and New Students (Aug. 22)
• Darien Police Advice to Teens, Parents on Driving to and from School — Safely (Aug. 21)
• The Amount of Clothing and Food We Buy and Don’t Use Is Enormous — and Likely More Than You Think (Aug. 19)
• CT Sales Tax Free Week Coming Aug 19 to 25: What to Know (Aug. 17)
• Get Your Kids Involved in Back-to-School Shopping: Some Teachable-Moment Tips (Aug. 17)
• How to Protect Your Children’s Privacy as They Head Back to School (Aug. 20)
• How Darien Police Are Working with Schools in Town to Protect Students (July 30)