Somerset County, NJ- Somerset County United Way is coordinating their annual Stuff the Bus program. Each year, local companies, organizations, civic groups and community individuals, organize drives and collections of new school supplies for local elementary and middle school children in need.
In 2009, more than 40,000 items including back packs, crayons, notebooks, pens and pencils, etc. were collected and distributed to schools and agencies in Somerset County for children from low-income families. The items are distributed by the school nurse or administrators, as they are most familiar with the children in greatest need of the supplies.
“Each year, more and more children are added to the list of those who need help with school supplies,” said Irene Natale, manager of the program for Somerset County United Way. “This year, the number of children eligible to receive items through this program includes 500 more children than last year. Because of the kindness of individuals who donate items to this program each year, thousands of children will enter school in September with the supplies they need and a better chance at academic success,” said Natale.
Children who receive supplies through this program are given the tools they need to begin the school year ready to learn. For struggling parents, providing the necessary school supplies can be a financial hardship. When their children receive school supplies through this program, parents are better able to utilize their limited financial resources to pay for basic needs such as food, utilities, rent, etc. In addition, children have greater self-esteem when they have the school supplies they need, and the same school supplies as their peers.
Somerset County United Way will be collecting the new school supplies on www.SCUW.org to find community drop-off locations or bring new school supplies to Somerset County United Way office at 1011 Rt. 22 W, Bridgewater.Monday, August 23, 2010 at the rear entrance of the United Reformed Church at 100 Before that time, please visit our website at W. Main Street in downtown Somerville between 9 am and 4 pm.
If you, your company, or your group would like to help out with this very real need in our community, please contact Irene Natale at (908) 253-6511 or e-mail irene.natale@scuw.org for more information.
About Somerset County United Way:
An independent nonprofit organization, Somerset County United Way helps people who live and work in Somerset County through its vision that all residents possess a living income that will be attained through achieving financial stability, healthy lifestyles, and life readiness. United Way’s mission is to lead a caring community to create solutions that transform people’s lives. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED. To learn more about how you can LIVE UNITED, contact Somerset County United Way at (908) 725 – 6640 or visit www.scuw.org.