The Christ Child Society of Summit and Bridges Outreach, Inc. recently partnered together to help provide school supplies to local children for an eighth year. Their collaboration helped to provide Summit students who are eligible for free and reduced price lunches with new school supplies before the start of the school year. This year 335 students each received approximately $81 worth of school supplies and a new backpack. The school supplies distributed were based on the schools’ requested lists of supplies by grade. Parents were able to direct funds that otherwise would have been used for school supplies toward necessities such as food and rent.
“The children are so excited about selecting their new school supplies, and the parents are grateful,” commented Sally Golding of The Christ Child Society and co-chair of the event.
“It’s gratifying to help children in our own community,” said Jane Murphy, of The Christ Child Society and event co-chair.
Grants from the Summit Area Public Foundation and the Summit Luminary Fund purchased a portion of the school supplies. Volunteers from Merrill Lynch and The Christ Child Society provided donations and assisted at the event. Summit residents also donated school supplies.
“This is always one of our happiest events of the year”, said Lois Bhatt, Executive Director of Bridges.
About The Christ Child Society and Bridges Outreach, Inc.:
The Christ Child Society is a non-profit association of volunteers dedicated to serving local at-risk children. For more information, visit www.christchildsummit.org. Bridges is an outreach program for the homeless delivering food, clothing, toiletries and other necessities weekly to those who are homeless or in need in New York City, Newark, Irvington and Summit. Bridges also offers case management services in Newark. For further information, visit www.bridgesoutreach.org.
(above l-r) Jane Murphy and Sally Golding of the Christ Child Society, co-chairs of the School Supply Drive and Distribution, and Lois Bhatt and Beth Tulloch, Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, prepare for the annual school supply distribution.
