Back to School?! Not Quite, But It *Is* Time for the ACPS Backpack Drive

I know it sounds crazy to be writing about Back to School already. For crying out loud, we just ended the school year and have only begun to enjoy summer vacation! So why am I writing about Back to School now? Because we are partnering with Alexandria City Public Schools on their annual Backpack Drive again this year.My favorite part of going back to school has always been buying new school supplies. It means the beginning of something new and exciting...and slightly terrifying. Much like daffodils popping up are the first signs of spring, school supplies are the first sign of fall, my favorite season.Buying school supplies is a ritual for most families, but there are many families in Alexandria who can’t afford supplies for their students, who can’t send their kids off to school with the tools they need to get an education to move themselves forward. That’s where ACPS comes in. Last year they were able to supply 1,500 K-12 students with all the supplies they needed to succeed.So starting tomorrow and running through August 15, Red Barn Mercantile (1117 King St) and Penny Post (1201 King St) will be collecting back-to-school supplies for Alexandria’s students. 

Here is what they need…

This year’s goal is to reach more than last and with your help they can do that. Please drop off the following school supplies: backpacks, spiral notebooks, filler paper, 1- and 2-inch binders, pencils and sharpeners, erasers, crayons and markers, colored pencils, highlighters, subject dividers, pencil pouches, scissors and glue, tissues, and ziploc bags. When buying supplies please consider all of the grades because students in high school need supplies as much as those in kindergarten. One thought is to buy a duplicate – or triplicate – set of what your kids need and donate that.In addition to collecting supplies, we will be dedicating our July 25th Good. Works. Wednesday to the Backpack Drive. For every purchase made that day we will donate 20 percent to this worthy cause. This would be a good time for a little home refresh or perhaps personal stationery!Oh, and if you’re so inclined, please join us on Thursday, August 16 from 2-5pm as we volunteer to pack backpacks! If you can’t make that time then here are few other options for you – Wednesday, August 15 from 2-5pm; and, Friday, August 17 from 10am-1pm. Please contact Taneika Taylor Tukan for more information.Thank you in advance for your support of Alexandria’s students!