SHIM seeks donations of school supplies for back to school drive

Tribune-Review
Friday, July 23, 2021 9:01 a.m. | Friday, July 23, 2021 9:01 a.m.

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Volunteers distributed backpacks to children during South Hills Interfaith Movement’s annual Back-to-School event in 2020.

As local students gear up for the new school year, some of them are lacking … gear.

South Hills Interfaith Movement is looking for donations to help provide kids in the South Hills with the school supplies they need to have a safe and successful school year, according to a news release. Thanks to a donation from Centimark Corporation, SHIM will distribute more than 1,100 new backpacks to local students – but will need help filling those backpacks with back-to-school supplies.

SHIM’s 2020 Back-to-School drive helped a record-breaking 1,400 students head back to school safely with the tools needed to thrive in an extraordinary year of hybrid and virtual school. At the same time, SHIM’s food pantries saw a dramatic increase in need of 60 percent during the height of the pandemic. According to the organization, the pattern has continued and because of this, SHIM is anticipating continued increased demand at its annual back-to-school distribution.

There are multiple ways to help ensure kids in the South Hills are prepped with the tools required for a thriving school year.

School supplies can be delivered directly to SHIM’s Bethel Park office and donations can be made to the Back-to-School fund. Additionally, the public is invited to set up individual drives – visit SHIM’s website for resources to help set up a drive.

Deadline for supplies and donations is Aug. 6.

The most-needed items for this year’s Back-to School drive are three-ring binders (1”, 1.5”, 2”), earbuds/headphones, 70-count spiral notebooks, pencil cases, index cards, face masks, pencils, pens, markers, crayons, folders and glue.

Distribution events will be held in August, where K-12 students from Baldwin-Whitehall, Bethel Park, Keystone Oaks, Mt. Lebanon, South Park and Upper St. Clair school districts will be able to pick up their new supplies, regardless of family income.

For more information about setting up a drive or making a donation, contact Rachel White, development assistant at rwhite@shimcares.org.