For the eighth year, the Christ Child Society of Summit and Bridges Outreach are working together to collect next year’s school supplies for the approximately 500 children in need in the Summit Public Schools. There will be collection bins during the week of May 16-20 by the main offices of all of the Summit public schools, at the entrances to St. Teresa’s Church and Memorial Hall, and at 36 Woodland Avenue in Summit. “For many families in Summit, it is difficult to afford the high cost of the many school supplies needed each year. Donating supplies is an easy and thoughtful way for our community to help these families, and to give these children a fresh start to the new school year,” commented Sally Golding and Jane Murphy, CCS Co-Chairs.
Residents can help by donating some of the following new items: 1”, 2”, and 3” Binders, 3-hole Pencil Cases, Subject Dividers, 2-Pocket Folders, Marble Composition Books, Loose Leaf Paper (wide and college ruled), Spiral Notebooks (wide and college ruled), 8-Pack Colored Pencils or Thin Markers, #2 Pencils and Erasers, Pens (Blue, Black & Red), Highlighters, 3 x 5 lined Notecards and Glue Sticks.
In August last year, the Christ Child Society and Bridges provided 353 elementary, middle and high school children in Summit, eligible for free or reduced lunch, with new backpacks and school supplies. Parents were able to take the financial resources that would have been used for school supplies to pay for food, rent, and other necessities. The Christ Child Society is a non-profit association of volunteers dedicated to serving at-risk children in the area. Bridges is an outreach program for the homeless delivering food, clothing, toiletries, and other necessities to those who are homeless or in need in New York City, Newark, and Irvington every week and opens its doors to neighbors in need every Friday. Christ Child Society and Bridges appreciate the donations and grants from their partners: the Summit Luminary Fund, the Junior League of Summit, the Summit Area Public Foundation, Merrill Lynch employees, St. Teresa’s Church and private donations. For further information: www.bridgesoutreach.org or ccssummit@gmail.com.
(above, l-r) Kathryn Colao and Co-Chairs Sally Golding and Jane Murphy of Christ Child Society, and Beth Tulloch and Lois Bhatt of Bridges prepare for the School Supplies Collection.
