Hopelink’s Back to School Supply Drive Gives Homeless and Low-Income Children the Tools They Need To Start the School Year Right

REDMOND, Wash. –  Hopelink, the largest human-services agency on the Eastside, serving east and north King County is now accepting monetary and in-kind donations of backpacks and school supplies to be distributed to children from homeless and low-income families for the start of the school year this Fall.  

Last year, Hopelink supplied 1,600 children with back-to-school supplies, and this year the need is expected to increase to nearly 1,800 kids who need school supplies, but donations to date will only allow Hopelink to supply just over 1,000 children with backpacks and supplies.

“Monetary donations at the grassroots level have been down this year, compared to last year,” said Linda Benson, director of development for Hopelink.  “Without help, this year we may only be able to supply a little over half of the backpacks and school supplies that are needed,” Benson said.

Although donations are down, Hopelink staff and volunteers are busy preparing to give out school supplies ranging from highlighters and graph paper to backpacks and dictionaries at its six food bank locations in Shoreline, Bothell, Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue and Carnation.

Hopelink is expecting an increase in demand this year partly due to a growing trend of schools and teachers asking parents to share the financial burden of providing more classroom supplies, some of which have previously been provided in the classroom.  

“The days of parents only having to make sure their kids have shoes and clothes for going back to school are past,” says Teresa Andrade, program manager for Hopelink’s school supply program.   “I’ve seen supply lists sent home by teachers asking parents to supply baby wipes, post it notes and garbage bags for the classroom.”

Parents are being asked to spend more for school supplies each year.  When they are struggling to put food on the table—like the families served at Hopelink—the $20 to $40 for each child to purchase the required school supplies, can become a financial burden.  

“Going back to school should be a fun time, not a traumatic one.  Having the school supplies that all the other kids have really increases kids’ self-esteem,” said Shelley Noble, director of family and emergency services for Hopelink.   

Hopelink has already started a waiting list for school supplies at some sites since the need this year is so great.  Backpacks and school supplies will be available for families served by Hopelink until supplies run out.  


2005 School Supply Distribution Schedule
 
Bellevue
August 23 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Kirkland
August 24 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
August 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
Bothell
August 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
August 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Shoreline
August 15 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
August 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Redmond
August 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
August 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
August 25 from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m.

Carnation
August 18 from Noon to 1:30 p.m.
August 24 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.


To make a donation to help Hopelink’s back to school supply drive, viewers can call 425.869.6000 to find out where to drop off backpacks and school supplies or they can make a monetary donation online at www.hope-link.org.

About Hopelink
Since 1971, Hopelink has served homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities in north and east King County by promoting self-sufficiency for all members of our community and helping people make lasting change. Hopelink assists people with meeting their needs for food, shelter, homelessness prevention, child development, family development and stabilization, transportation and adult literacy skills. For more information on Hopelink and its services, call 425.869.6000 or visit www.hope-link.org.

Media Contacts
Denise Stephens, Public Relations Specialist, office: 425.869.2440, denises@hope-link.org
Glen Miller, Communications Manager, office: 425.869.6025, cell: 206.790.5410, glenm@hope-link.org