Catholic Charities seeking backpack recipients & school supply donations

With rising costs, anticipate more demand in advance of the new school year

With the start of a new school year only weeks away, Catholic Charities is again collecting school supplies for its annual backpack program, which helps students in need throughout Western New York with a backpack and school supplies.

“In order for children to be successful in school, they need the proper supplies,” said Carolyn Stewart, supervisor of food pantries and thrift stores, Catholic Charities. “Back-to-school time can be expensive for many families and, with the increased costs of many items, backpack programs like ours help give families hope – and are needed now more than they have been in previous years. We anticipate seeing an increased demand over the next few weeks leading up to the start of school.”

Donations of school supplies, including backpacks themselves, are being collected at Catholic Charities’ Ladies of Charity, 1122 Broadway, Buffalo, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. Individuals making donations are asked to call ahead to
716-895-4001 to schedule a drop-off time. Donations can also be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Catholic Charities’ thrift store in Wellsville, 67 E. Pearl St., Wellsville.

A press release said, “Backpack referrals are first-come, first-serve, and must go through a Catholic Charities caseworker. Call Catholic Charities’ central intake at 716-856-4494 and tell them you or someone you know needs assistance with school supplies.

Additional information about all Catholic Charities’ services, which include basic emergency assistance, in-school social work, and individual, children and family counseling services, and education and workforce training can be found at ccwny.org/services.