Children get back-to-school supplies through St. Francis Community Center

With the help of the local community, kids in town have gone back to school in style this year. St. Francis Community Center’s annual Back to School Project, which provides children ages 3 to 18 from Forked River to Tuckerton with school supplies for the fall, assisted 281 students. All children received a new backpack filled with back-to-school essentials.

Photo via St. Francis Community Center
Residents and businesses helped the community
center provide students with school supplies.

“After our initial outreach efforts with The SandPaper and online social media, we received an outpouring from our community,” community center officials said. “Donations exceeded our expectations, and (we) were able to surpass our 250 enrolled children.”

The project, which began more than 10 years ago, was started to help families with the costs incurred by sending their children back to school. The effort has grown to include donations from local dentists and hair salons.

“We are grateful to live in a close-knit community that selflessly gives to support those in need,” officials noted. “Everyone has memories of what it feels like to get their new backpack and school supplies, and we want to provide those memories to families who are in need. Our hope is for all children returning to school to have confidence and a readiness to learn.”

Registration for the project started July 13, and distribution was conducted Aug. 20 and 21.

Funding and donations were provided by the Rotary Club of Long Beach Island, Jetty Rock Foundation, The Home Depot, Olive Garden, Surf City Police Department, St. Francis’ “Shark Swim Team,” Walmart, BJ’s, Costco, Ocean Family Dental, Ocean Pediatric Dental, Scissor Sisters, Jane’s Cutaway Salon as well as countless local residents.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.