The Laker/Lutz News

Shelly Brantman

School supply drives aim to help kids, teachers

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Chambers of commerce, businesses, civic organizations, churches and community groups are busy collecting items that students will need once school begins.

Some efforts are broad outreach programs, and others involve individual churches.

Efforts are underway to help students who need supplies for the coming school year. (File Art)
Efforts are underway to help students who need supplies for the coming school year.
(File Art)

Some seek to help teachers fill their supply cupboards so they won’t have to dig into their own wallets to pay for supplies their students need.

Others give the items directly to children and families in need.

There is an ever-growing list of efforts, but here are some of the ongoing or planned efforts to date:

  • The First National Bank of Pasco is collecting school supply and monetary donations for its Stuff the Backpack Drive, through Aug. 7, at any of its three branches in Zephyrhills and Dade City. Monetary donations will be used to purchase additional school supplies. Items needed include liquid soap, Ziploc bags, crayons, highlighters, backpacks, rulers, folders, index cards and more. For locations, visit FNBPasco.com.
  • Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care is collecting school supplies, through Aug. 8, at all five of its thrift shops. Anyone who donates will receive a voucher for 25 percent off a single item (sale items and furniture excluded) that is valid for one week after the donation, at any thrift shop location. Supplies needed include backpacks, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, folders, glue sticks, markers, notebooks, paper, pencil cases, pens, scissors and yellow pencils. All supplies will be distributed to needy children in Pasco County through the Kiwanis Club of Greater West Pasco. For a list of shop locations, visit GHPPC.org.
  • Children’s Home Society of Florida, 1515 Michelin Court in Lutz, is collecting backpacks and school supplies, through Aug. 11. To arrange a drop-off or pickup, or for information, call Rachelle Duroseau at (813) 428-3832, or email .
  • Sharpline Investigations is hosting a school supply drive, through Aug. 21, with local drop-off locations in Wesley Chapel and Lutz. Supplies needed include backpacks, pencils, pens, spiral notebooks, composition books, binders and notebook paper. The supplies will be distributed to students in Hillsborough and Pasco counties that are at risk in attendance, academics and behavior. For information and locations, visit SharplineInvestigations.com/giving-back-to-the-community/.
  • The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is collecting school supplies, from July 31 to Aug. 2, for the Stuff the Bus for Teachers program. Some of the school items needed include mechanical pencils, pens, scissors, pink erasers, dry erasers, dry erase markers, hand sanitizer, rulers, copy paper (white and colors), spiral notebooks, folders (3-prong and no prong), and colored pencils. For information and donation sites, email .
  • Cobb Theatres Grove 16, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel is hosting its seventh annual Back to School Bash on Aug. 15. The event, themed “Fantastic Four,” will take place from10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Festivities will include activities such as face painting, games, haircuts, health screenings and school supply giveaways.

The theater is still seeking sponsors. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or partner, call Demene Benjamin at (813) 948-5445, or email ">.

  • The United Way of Pasco County will host the 5th Annual Stuff the Bus for Teachers, July 31 to Aug. 2, at various Walmart and Publix locations, and is looking for volunteers.

There are three-hour shifts available: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

To sign up, visit tinyurl.com/stuffthebus2015 or UnitedWayPasco.org.

For information, call (727) 835-2028.

  • C1 Bank and Goin’ Postal are collecting school supplies, and donations will be given to local schools for on-campus personnel to distribute to students in need. Goin’ Postal locations are:
  • 14247 Seventh St., Dade City
  • 27221 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel
  • 28500 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel (inside Walmart)
  • 38439 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
  • 7631 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills (inside Walmart)

C1 Bank, 7435 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, also is collecting supplies and will host the Back-To-School Community Party Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a limited number of drawstring bags with school supplies, and drawings for gift cards, as well as games and puzzles, chalk art, coloring contests, a dance contest and more.

For information, call Shelly Brantman at C1 Bank at (813) 715-4700.

Published July 29, 2015