Donations sought to provide back-to-school necessities for city children in need
DANBURY, CT -- When you were young, do you remember being ready to take on a new school year, with a new backpack, fresh notebooks and pencils sharpened and ready to go? You can help a Danbury student in need get ready to take on a new school year by joining United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) as a sponsor for its 2018 Back-To-School program in Danbury.
Thanks to the past generosity of our communities, this United Way program has helped children from struggling families start the new school year on a positive note with a new backpack filled with school supplies and a gift card for clothing purchases. Last year, more than 230 students in Danbury were served by UWWC’s Back-To-School program, and more than 725 students were served by the program across Danbury, Greater New Milford and Stamford. This program is one of United Way’s signature initiatives that helps children from hard-working, struggling households that we call ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
“For families that are working and struggling to afford the basics, the cost for school supplies can throw a wrench in their already-stretched budget,” said Isabel Almeida, UWWC Chief Operating Officer. “Our Back-To-School program makes a real difference to struggling families in our local community, and affirms that our students’ education and success are investments worth making.”
“There are still dozens of children on our Back-To-School lists in Danbury in need of sponsors. We encourage community members to invest in the success of area students by supporting this important program,” Almeida added.
United Way seeks either monetary donations or for community members to “adopt” a child and sponsor their full needs. For the Danbury program, items that are needed include school supplies and $100 giftcards to either local retailers, or general Visa, MasterCard or American Express giftcards. To sponsor a child in Danbury directly and for more information on items needed, contact our program coordinator Morgan Greening at 203-297-6736 or morgan.greening@uwwesternct.org. Donations are requested by August 15 to ensure demand can be met before the August 22 distribution date for families.
Those wishing to make a donation can visit www.uwwesternct.org/give and designate their gift to any one of UWWC’s Back-To-School programs in Danbury, Greater New Milford or Stamford.
Photo: Backpacks filled with school supplies await to be picked up by students at last year’s United Way Back-To-School program distribution event in Danbury. Last year, 234 of the more than 725 students served by the Back-To-School program were from Danbury. Photo/United Way of Western Connecticut.
United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) improves the lives of hard-working, struggling households by mobilizing the resources of local communities to create lasting change. We help residents across Northern Fairfield County, Southern Litchfield County and the City of Stamford by focusing on the vital building blocks for a good life: Education, Financial Stability and Health. We are committed to ensuring that every child enters school ready to learn, every family is financially stable, and every community we serve is healthy and strong. We are particularly focused on a population that United Way identifies as ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) in our communities. A United Way report published in October 2016 revealed that in Connecticut, more than 1 in 4 households has earnings above the Federal Poverty Level, but below a basic cost-of-living threshold. Combined with those who are struggling below poverty level, 38% of all households in the state are experiencing financial hardship. By leveraging the collective power of the community, we are focused on creating an environment where individuals and families are self-sufficient and can achieve financial independence.
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Contact:
Sofia Dupi
United Way of Western Connecticut
203-297-2716
sofia.dupi@uwwesternct.org
Website: www.uwwestern.org