As families prepare for a new school year, North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) has announced it will be holding the “Forgotten Back-to-School Needs Drive” to support family members and communities in need.
Running July 1 through Aug. 29, the drive provides new athletic shoes, hygiene products, socks, underwear, and other everyday essentials to students in North Thurston Public Schools whose families are experiencing financial hardship, according to a news release from the NTEF.
Last year, more than 950 students in North Thurston Public Schools experienced homelessness, while more than 6,000 students lived in households struggling to make ends meet.
"The items we often take for granted — clean socks, properly fitting shoes, deodorant, or shampoo — can make an enormous difference in a student's confidence," Deanna East, executive director of North Thurston Education Foundation, said in the release. "When students feel comfortable and confident, they're better able to focus on learning and building relationships."
The Foundation asks donors to give new items because receiving something that is truly their own helps restore dignity, build confidence, and reminds students that their community cares.
Most Needed Items:
Community members can drop off donations during regular business hours at:
Financial gifts are also welcome and allow the Foundation to purchase needed items that are in short supply.
For more information or to make an online donation, visit the North Thurston Education Foundation website at https://tinyurl.com/y2vcsfja.
