Uniondale Back-To-School Drive Helps Over 450 Families

(Uniondale, NY) — Over 450 local families received school supplies, food, and PPE equipment at a Back-to-School drive-through pickup event hosted by New York State Senator Kevin Thomas in partnership with Island Harvest. 

The event was held at Grace Cathedral International on Friday, September 4. 

Cars began lining up in the church parking lot as early as 9:30 that morning. Volunteers handed out messenger bags filled with school supplies, prepackaged PPE packets, boxes of nonperishable food items, and hundreds of bottles of hand sanitizer. 

“In these challenging times, families in our community are finding it even more difficult to access basic school supplies for their children,” said Senator Thomas. “As our community grapples with the challenges posed by COVID-19, it's more important than ever that our students start the year feeling prepared – whether in the classroom or remote learning.” 

Census takers from the U.S. Census Bureau were also onsite to help residents complete the 2020 Census. Residents have until September 30 to complete the Census, which will help shape funding and representation in communities across the nation for the next 10 years.