Patch: United Way Makes Final Call for School Supplies

Victoria Hochman

August 1, 2024

United Way is asking for donations of backpacks and supplies including notebooks, binders, pens, pencil, crayons, markers by Aug. 10

Senator Shelley Mayor and United Way CEO during 2023 school supply drive

White Plains, N.Y, (August 1, 2024) – The opening of school will be here before you know it and the United Way of Westchester Putnam wants to make sure that all our school children are ready.

Partnering with NYS Senators Shelley Mayer, Peter Harckham and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and other sponsors, the United Way is making a last call for school supplies as it ends its backpack and supply drive that began in July.

United Way is asking for donations of new backpacks and supplies including notebooks, binders, pens, pencil, crayons, glue sticks, markers and more.

Donations can be dropped off at numerous locations in Westchester (see list below) by August 10. The estimated cost of school supplies is between $500 and $800 per student, according to the National Retail Federation.

“There are many families living from paycheck to paycheck in Westchester,’’ said United Way of Westchester CEO Tom Gabriel. “Even small efforts like these can make a difference. We greatly appreciate the assistance of our partners Senators Mayer, Harckham and Assemblymember Paulin as well as others who have helped with our collection efforts. Every child deserves to start the school year off right.’’

Other partners in this year’s drive included the Building Owners and Managers Association International; Strong Heroes; Family of Kidz; the Gerber Life Insurance Company; Assured Partners

and Dunmore.

This program is for families with students that qualify for free or reduced lunch. Supplies will be distributed through United Way’s non-profit partners.

Drop off locations include:

UWWP offices, 336 Central Park Avenue, White Plains, NY

•Town of Mamaroneck Town Hall, 740 W. Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck, NY

•Grinton I. Will Library 1500 Central Park Ave., Yonkers, NY

•Pound Ridge Townhouse, 179 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge, NY 10576

State Senator Shelley Mayer’s Office, 235 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 400 White Plains

•State Senator Peter Harckham’s Office: 1 Park Place, Suite 302, Peekskill

•Reed Memorial Library 1733 US-6 Carmel

•John C. Hart Memorial Library (Yorktown) 1130 E. Main Street Shrub Oak.

About United Way of Westchester and Putnam

United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) helps local residents in Westchester and Putnam become self-sufficient and thrive in a stronger community by helping people in crisis through the 2-1-1 helpline, making sure children are reading on grade level by 3rd grade, providing job skills training and offering support programs for the nonprofit sector. UWWP works with nonprofits, government, business and community leaders to solve complex problems. United Way’s 2-1-1 Helpline, which covers the Hudson Valley, Long Island and the Adirondack Regions answers hundreds of thousands of calls for assistance each year and also provides online resources ranging from basic needs including heating, food, shelter and mortgage questions.

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