HFA “Back to School” Annual Backpack & School Supply Drive, Aug 16-30, 2014

The Hoboken Family Alliance is hosting our Fourth Annual Back to School Supplies Drive through August 16 to 30, 2014 to benefit needy children in Hudson County. HFA is committed to helping children and youth succeed and ensuring every young person is ready to learn.

Children living at or below the poverty line will find it difficult to get enough to eat this summer as their parents struggle to keep the lights on and make rent – they simply cannot afford to buy backpacks and school supplies.

Our donations will go to children in need from the following organizations:  In Jesus Names Charities,  NJ Division of Youth & Family Services (DYFS) and York Street Project.

What’s Needed:
NEW Backpacks (Unisex backpacks are preferred if possible), lunchboxes, pencils, pens, pink erasers, two-pocket folders, binders, loose-leaf paper (wide rule), notebooks (both spiral & composition), scientific calculators, protractors, crayons, colored pencils, markers, calculators, rulers, pencil sharpeners with cover, pencil cases, glue sticks, scissors and index cards. Flash drives are also requested for the older children.
For your convenience, we will have a drop box at Big Fun Toys.  Big Fun Toys will be selling backpacks and some school supplies too.

Drop off details:
When:   Saturday, August 16 – Saturday, August 30, 2014
Where: Big Fun Toys, 602 Washington Street, Hoboken (Mon-Sat. 10-7pm, Sun . 11-6 pm ) Be sure to use your HFA CARD for a 10% discount off any purchase over $25 - www.bigfuntoys.com
Also ask about the new Big Fun Toy Rewards Program!

Cash donations:
If you prefer to financially donate, your donation of $25 will provide one backpack for a child, stocked with essential supplies. Cash donations are encouraged because HFA's non-profit status allows it to purchase items without paying 7% sales tax. Also, it allows your donations to go directly toward the supplies.

If you wish to donate $25 toward a backpack, please do so today by using the PayPal link below. Please note Backpack in the memo line.  We will be ordering supplies as soon as possible, to ensure the children are prepared and ready to start the year right.

We will once again provide tax receipts for items donated on an as-requested basis. If you are making a cash donation, your tax receipt will be automatically generated. If you are dropping off items, please leave a copy of your receipt with donation items highlighted, along with your name and address. Please keep a copy of your donation for your records.

We feel that by being prepared for the first day of school with a backpack and the right school supplies, many children will have the confidence to work towards having a successful school year. With your partnership, we will be able to accomplish this together. Please join the Hoboken Family Alliance in our Fourth Annual Back to School drive. For more information, please email Michele at hfaphilanthropy@nullyahoo.com