With school just around the corner, there are a few ways students in need can get a free backpack and school supplies.
First up, this Sunday, two Verizon locations will be handing out backpacks filled with pencils and a pencil case, paper, folders, a ruler and glue starting at 1 p.m., while supplies last, according to a press release from wireless technology investment group The Round Room.
The two locations are at 711 King Street and 3518 King Street, a spokesman confirmed.
The giveaway is part of the “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” by Verizon retailers TCC and Wireless Zone, now in its 11th year, which aims to alleviate the burdensome costs of new school supplies. Citing estimates from the National Retail Federation, the press release says American families with school-aged children spent an average of $864 on school supplies in 2022.
Meanwhile, Alexandria City Public Schools is seeking volunteers and donors for its own backpack and school supplies drive.
ACPS is collecting backpacks filled with supplies to donate to families in need until Aug. 14. The district aims to collect 3,500 backpacks by mid-August, with options to donate in-kind and financially. It requests those who are interested fill out a form explaining what kind of donations they can make.
ACPS is also seeking volunteers to write notes of encouragement for the students receiving the backpacks and join a “backpack stuffing marathon,” the form said.
https://twitter.com/ACPSk12/status/1682457718248951818
Caregivers who need a backpack for their child are asked to contact the social worker for their child’s school.
Some Alexandria middle schoolers are also set to get backpacks with grade-appropriate school supplies next week from the United Way of the National Capital Area. Next Wednesday, volunteers will stuff backpacks for seven schools in the D.C. area with large populations of students from low-income backgrounds, including Francis C. Hammond and Walt Whitman middle schools in Alexandria.
The United Way aims to stuff more than 700 backpacks next week, bringing the total numbers of backpacks packed this year across stuffing events to 2,000, a spokeswoman said.
Hallie LeTendre contributed to this report
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
Family Fun Fall Fest
Mark your calendars and join us for the Family Fun Fall Fest on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11am – 2pm!
This FREE in-person event will be held at the Shoppes at Foxchase, located at 4641 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
