MAYOR MIKE SPANO LAUNCHES 8th ANNUAL YONKERS “BACKPACK TO SCHOOL” SUPPLY DONATION DRIVE

YONKERS, NY – July 31, 2019 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced the launch of the City’s annual “Backpack to School” school supply donation drive. The 8th Annual Donation Drive provides backpacks and school supplies to Yonkers Public School students most in need.  Items donated will be provided to the students of Paideia School 24. Any remaining items will be available to students while supplies last.

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

“It is important for children to begin a new school year with a positive outlook,” noted Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada.  “Having a new backpack and supplies bolsters a young child’s confidence and optimism as they enter the next phase of their educational journey.  Our families do the best they can to provide new materials; for so many this can be challenging.  The Mayor’s annual drive eases the financial burden for our families, and more importantly, energizes the entire community to support quality education and Yonkers’ children.”

Beginning today, backpacks and school supply donations may be made at Backpack to School drop-off locations, including:

Yonkers City Hall-40 South Broadway

Robert W. Cacace Justice Center-100 South Broadway

Government Building-87 Nepperhan Avenue

Yonkers Riverfront Library-1 Larkin Center

Grinton I. Will Library-1500 Central Park Avenue

Crestwood Library-16 Thompson Street

Ridge Hill (Guest Services)-73 Market Street

All four Police Precincts

  • PCT 1-730 E. Grassy Sprain Road
  • PCT 2-441 Central Park Avenue
  • PCT 3-435 Riverdale Avenue
  • PCT 4-53 Shonnard Place

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.