Back-to-School Donations: Where to Donate to Westchester Families in Need
As you’re getting ready for the back-to-school season, there are many Westchester families in need who don’t have the means to get their kids essentials for the new year. However, throughout Westschester County there are several incredible organizations who are organizing donation drives for supplies, backpacks, and clothing as a way to ensure that all kids have what they need to get off on the right foot in September. Read on to check out where you can donate and give back.
Sharing Shelf
This Port Chester-based non-profit is currently hosting a back-to-school backpack and school supply drive to support 1,500 Westchester children. Through donations, they purchase new backpacks and fill them with grade-level school supplies for children in pre- kindergarten through high school. Teachers who participate share the list of supplies and the backpacks go to specific children who need them. Donations start at $35, which fills a new backpack for one child. Donation requests range and go up to $3,500, which fills 100 backpacks.
You can also drop off donations at Club Pilates (New Rochelle, Scarsdale, and Ardsley); Houlihan Lawrence (Quaker Ridge Road); Mama Village RX & Wellness; Miller’s Toys; The Pamplemousse Project; and the White Plains Rye YMCA from now until August 22nd.
They need new backpacks, three-subject notebooks, binders, filler paper, dividers, composition notebooks, index cards, post-it notes, scientific calculators, graphing calculators, markers, crayons, colored pencils, pens, pencils and erasers. Donations can be made here and for additional information, reach out to info@sharingshelf.org or call 914-305-5950.
Family Services of Westchester
Family Services of Westchester is partnering with The Sharing Shelf to provide new back-to-school supplies to Westchester children in need. They are seeking contributions, starting at $30, which can be made here.
Westchester Jewish Community Services Back-to-School Drive
The WJCS back-to-school drive raises funds to provide new backpacks, school supplies, and gift cards to under-resourced Westchester families. This includes distribution to mental health clinics, early childhood development programs, after-school enrichment programs, digital skill building, and LGBTQ+ youth programs. Children age 11 and under will receive a new backpack (filled with new supplies) and a $25 gift card to purchase any unaccounted for new school year essentials. Children age 12 and older receive a $50 gift card and a new planner. For more information about the WJCS Back-to-School Drive, please contact Alexandra Luciano, aluciano@wjcs.com; (914) 761.0600 x2239.
Erase the Need School Supply Drive from Community Center of Northern Westchester
The Community Center of Northern Westchester is currently accepting donations for new school supplies at their Katonah location (84 Bedford Road, Katonah, NY 10536). They are requesting that donations be pre-filled to help support children in need by August 5th. They are hoping to support over 2,000 Westchester children through this back-to-school supply drive. Bags are $10-$25 to fill for elementary, middle and high school students. Alternatively, you can donate $25 to the center where they will purchase the supplies for the drive. Donations are accepted from Tuesday-Friday from 10am-4pm and Saturday from 10am-1pm.
Supplies For Success: Give Back With A Backpack from the UJA Federation New York
Attend the Westchester Supplies For Success: Give Back With a Backpack with the UJA Federation New York on July 30th at The Westchester. This event serves as a fundraiser and packing event where backpacks will be donated to the Westchester Jewish Community Services, Westchester Jewish Coalition for Immigration, and Hope Community Services. Can’t make the event in person? You can donate here and they will purchase backpacks, gift cards, clothing, and shoes for kids in need.
914Cares
This non-profit collections baby essentials, clothing, and more throughout the year. They are currently collecting gently-used and seasonally appropriate clothing, sneakers, boots, and coats to families in need. They also accept donations for baby products, books, and personal care items. Donations should be sorted by size and gender and clearly labelled. The donation cycle is September 15 – April 1 for fall/winter items and April 1 – September 15th for spring/summer. Donations can be dropped at their location (901 North Broadway, Suite 17, North White Plains, NY) from Monday-Friday from 9:00am-7:00pm.
Open Door Family Medical Center
Open Door Family Medical Center, in collaboration with MVP Health Care and United Way of Westchester and Putnam, will be giving out backpacks on August 5th as a part of their Free Health Fair in Mamaroneck. At the health fair, guests will have the opportunity to receive free health screenings for blood pressure, asthma, BMI, vision and diabetes, HIV testing, COVID vaccinations, and more. The health fair is open to the public and will feature a live DJ, Zumba demonstrations, raffles, giveaways, a balloon artist, and Arts Westchester’s Arts Mobile which will provide art activities for children.
