MAYOR MIKE SPANO LAUNCHES 7th ANNUAL YONKERS “BACKPACK TO SCHOOL” SUPPLY DONATION DRIVE

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Residents & Businesses Encouraged To Donate Backpacks & School Supplies For Students In Need At Drop-Off Locations Across The City

YONKERS, NY – August 2, 2018 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced the launch of the City’s annual “Backpack to School” school supply donation drive. The 7th annual donation drive provides backpacks and school supplies to Yonkers Public School students most in need. This year’s drive is in partnership with sponsors Heavenly Productions, Empire City Casino and Sears. Items donated will be provided to the students of Thomas Cornell Academy in Yonkers.

“Back to school supplies are very expensive and can be a huge financial burden for working families, especially those who have more than one child in school,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “I encourage the entire community to join our Backpack to School Drive and lend a helping hand to those students most in need.”

“Our families do their best to provide new backpacks and school supplies for their children. And for many of our families that can be difficult,” noted Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada. “The Mayor’s annual drive energizes an entire school community who are so appreciative for the extra help. The exhilaration on the students’ faces when they receive the backpacks is wonderful.”

Beginning today, backpacks and school supply donations may be made at Backpack to School drop-off locations, including Yonkers City Hall, Robert W. Cacace Justice Center, 87 Nepperhan Government Building, Yonkers Riverfront Library, Grinton I. Will Library, Crestwood Library and each of the City’s four Police Precincts. Suggested supply packages for donation include new backpacks filled with the following school supplies:

· Crayons
· Colored pencils
· Washable markers
· Glue sticks or Elmer’s glue
· Rulers
· Pink erasers
· #2 pencils
· Pencil Sharpeners
· Loose leaf paper
· Composition Books
· Pencil pouches
· Pocket folders
· Hand sanitizer
· Tissue Packets

According to the National Retail Federation, the national average spent on back to school supplies is $29.5 Billion. Parent spend hundreds of dollars on back to school items, including school supplies, clothing, shoes and electronics totaling to more than $600 per child.

The Backpack to School Drive will run through August 22nd. For more information about the program, please contact the City of Yonkers Public Information Office at 914-377-6300 or visit www.yonkersny.gov/backpack.