Republic, Southwest Human Development host back to school drive
By Melissa Farley, The Republic | azcentral.com
Summer is still in full swing, but the back to school buzz is in the air.
Parents and kids are stopping into local stores to pick out new binders, crisp notebooks and stylish backpacks; checking off items on a list requested of each child by the school.
But what about those kids without parents? What do they do?
Southwest Human Development has made it their mission to think about this. They strengthen the foundation that Arizona children need to get a great start in life with the goal of creating a positive life for every child.
Since 1981, this Arizona nonprofit has focused on early childhood development and they offer more than 40 programs for children aged birth to 5 and to their families, including the Kinship Care and Adoptions Program.
They serve approximately 135,000 children and families each year.
Southwest Human Development is involved with the Department of Child Safety and has seen a massive increase in the number of children taken into custody by Arizona DCS.
This is where we need your help.
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THE DETAILS:
When does the drive start?
Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 31, 2015.
Who is getting the school supplies?
The children come from Arizona and throughout the United States. They have been removed from their parents, taken into CPS custody, and made dependents of the juvenile court system either in this state or from other states or countries and range in age from 0-21. They have suffered child abuse and neglect caused by parental substance abuse; mental illness; abandonment; incarceration; and/or domestic violence.
What supplies are needed?
- Backpacks
- Spiral notebooks
- Pencil box
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Pencils
- Pens (blue, red and black)
- Colored pencils
- Filler paper
- Crayons
- 1″ binders
- Pocket folders
- Ruler
- Dictionary
Do supplies need to be gender specific?
No, whatever you are able to purchase will be collected and allocated accordingly.
Do supplies need to be new or used or either?
All donated items must be new.
Where can I donate items?
Famous Dave’s restaurants have partnered with us and you can drop off items at one of the four following Valley locations during regular business hours. When you donate a new book-sized backpack at a Famous Dave’s, you’ll receive a free BBQ sandwich.
- Chandler – 3250 W. Frye Road
- Mesa Riverview – 1011 N. Dobson Road
- Peoria – 16148 N. 83rd Avenue
- SanTan Village – 2206 E. Williams Field Road
Can I donate financially or online?
Yes, when you donate monetarily, supplies are purchased in bulk and at discounted rates from partner companies. CLICK HERE to purchase back to school supplies in our online shopping cart.