Thank you to everyone who participated in United Way’s back-to-school supply drive! We received over 175 backpacks, making this year’s drive a huge success. The school supplies have been distributed to Chatham County Schools, Chatham DSS and Communities in Schols, where the staff will make sure that every child has a great start to the school year. Over 52% of Chatham County schoolchildren receive free or reduced-cost lunches. The supplies donated by the community will alleviate an enormous financial burden on struggling families.
One of our youngest donors, Gabby, even ran a lemonade stand, where she raised enough to donate a brand new backpack full of supplies to help other children.
United Way also delivered 55 backpacks to the Chatham County Department of Social Services to distribute to the children in the foster care program, as well as 40 backpacks to Communities in Schools. These backpacks were filled with the items listed on each student’s supply list for their specific grade and school.
Chatham County Schools’ Basic Needs Program will be distribute the supplies. Those in need of school supplies should contact their child’s school guidance counselor. The counselor will contact the Basic Needs Coordinator for Chatham County Schools to make arrangements for your child to receive the supplies that are required by their teacher.
Area businesses and churches that collected school supplies for the “Build a Backpack” school supply drive include: Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church, Chapel Ridge, Chatham County Department of Social Services, Eastern Chatham Senior Center, Pittsboro Presbyterian Church, Realty World Carolina Properties, Virginia Cross Elementary School, Walmart and the Western Chatham Senior Center.
Thank you to all the residents and businesses who’ve given a great start to Chatham County children this school year!