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Where to donate backpacks and other back-to-school supplies in NYC

By

Jessica Gould

Published Aug 11, 2024

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A kid accepts a backpack from an adult behind a table.

 

Jeff Reed/City Council

By

Jessica Gould

Published Aug 11, 2024

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Organizations are collecting and distributing backpacks and other school supplies, with the first day of school in New York City less than a month away.

Local public schools reopen on Sept. 5, and more than 119,000 New York City students — or 1 in 9 — are homeless. That’s a record number, driven in part by the arrival of tens of thousands of migrant families. A quarter of New York City children live in poverty.

“In our shelters, we’re seeing an increased need for school supplies each year, especially with the rise in inflation and the high cost of living in the city,” said Diana Santos, executive vice president at Win, which serves homeless women and children.

Santos said people who want to donate school supplies should keep a few tips in mind.

“Backpack donations should be durable,” she said. “If a backpack breaks, they might not have the resources to replace it.” She added that gift cards are also helpful, as families can use them to buy clothes or uniforms.

Daisy Mendoza, a director at the social services organization Hudson Guild in Chelsea, said scientific calculators and new laptops are particularly valuable for families who need them.

Here’s a rundown of local organizations accepting back-to-school donations and hosting giveaways this month.

Online and Citywide
Bronx

WHEDco - 1309 Louis Nine Blvd.
Accepting donations of backpacks and school supplies, including notebooks, pencils, folders and pens. It will host a giveaway on Aug. 31 from noon to 5 p.m.

Queens

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement - 10-25 41st Ave.
Accepting backpacks, pens, pencils, folders, notebooks, scissors, glue sticks, paper, hand sanitizers, paperclips, hole punches, staples, hand soaps, rulers, markers, crayons, highlighters and water bottles. Donations can also be made through its Amazon wish list.

Manhattan

Hudson Guild - 441 West 26th St.
Accepting backpacks, crayons, washable markers, construction paper, safety scissors, glue sticks, pencils and pens, highlighters, index cards, calculator, pencil cases, notebooks, loose leaf paper and folders. It will host a giveaway on Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Union Settlement - 237 East 104th St.
Collecting school supplies and backpacks, with a goal to give away 1,500 bags. Also accepting monetary donations through its website. Giveaway on Aug. 28 around 4 p.m.

Greenwich House Youth Services - 27 Barrow St., fifth floor
Collecting flash drives, headsets, book bags, pencils, crayons, notebooks, rulers, folders, pencil cases, loose leaf paper, binders, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and calculators.

Volunteer groups encouraged people to donate durable backpacks.

Emil Cohen/City Council

Brooklyn

Camp Friendship - 339 Eighth St.
Collecting through Aug. 23 backpacks, pencils, pens, erasers, folders, sharpeners, notebooks, binders, paper, rulers, markers, crayons, scissors and glue sticks. Donations can also be made online at Givelively and Amazon.

Giveaway Events

Bronx
Manhattan
Queens

Social services groups said donated calculators and computers are also particularly helpful.

Emil Cohen/City Council

Brooklyn
Staten Island

Tagged

education

new york city

homelessness

school supplies

economy

Jessica Gould

Twitter

Jessica is the education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica reported on the shutdown and reopening of the nation’s largest school system, highlighting the unprecedented impacts on learning, health and mental health for students, staff and families. Got a tip? Email [email protected]

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