Collecting school supplies

Teenagers without enough money to buy school supplies will get some help from Do Something 101.

The campaign encourages teenagers to collect school supplies and drop them off at a Staples office supply store, through Aug. 31. Staples donated $50,000 in school supplies to the cause. 

All school supplies go to educational and not-for-profit organizations that serve disadvantaged youth, such as Boys and Girls Clubs.

“There are so many kids in America that need school supplies that don’t have them and all somebody has to do is donate," said American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, who is starring in a public service announcement for the campaign.

-- Mary MacVean

Comments

[daniel]

I believe there are state laws requiring school districts to provide all public school students with basic school supplies, Someone correct me.

[Terri]

Yep- there is a line in the education code. I'm sure the most diligent student can effectively make use of 2 #2 pencils and 35 sheets of paper for the year. I think my sister the teacher has enough for one pen and one package of foolscap for each of her students- never mind making copies, supplimentary reading or even gold stars for the papers.

That budget was decimated years ago. I attended elementary school in 1979 and my teachers were already buying their classroom supplies out of their own pockets. Now the list of supplies for my Pre-K and K kids runs to two pages- plus a backpack to carry it all in.