With the support of the community, Jeffco Action Center has been helping thousands of children start the school year with adequate supplies for almost 10 years. Because of the current recession and corresponding increase of clients the Action Center has been seeing, they are expecting an increase in the number of families looking for help with school supplies this year. Based on the increased numbers of families they are helping, the Action Center anticipates providing school supplies to approximately 4,000 Jefferson County children this August.
According to the National Retail Federation's 2008 Back to School Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, the average family with school-aged children will spend $594.24 on back-to-school purchases, a 5.5% increase over the previous year. For families that are already struggling to pay for food, utilities, and housing, the money is simply not there. Experts agree that students who lack the supplies they need and feel unprepared are more likely to be emotionally disconnected from school so starting the school year with the proper tools to learn is critical to a child's future success. That is why Jeffco Action Center's school supply program has been so important over the years and why the donation of school supplies is so critical, this year in particular because so many more families are struggling financially.
This year's school supply distribution will be at Wheat Ridge Middle School from August 11 through August 15 and August 17.
The Action Center needs your help! Please consider donating school supplies this year. Cash contributions designated to school supplies can be even more valuable since our small army of shoppers know which items we're low on and always find the best prices! Simply write "school supplies" on the memo line of your check or include a note with your donation.
If you have questions about the drive, please call 303-237-7704.
ABOUT JEFFCO ACTION CENTER
Jeffco Action Center, a human-services non-profit, provides an immediate response to basic human needs and promotes pathways to self-sufficiency through intervention, prevention and connection to essential services. More than 25,000 JeffersonCounty residents receive assistance annually at the ActionCenter with food, clothing, homeless shelter, medical and utility assistance. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, the ActionCenter gives help, provides hope and builds dignity while breaking the cycle of poverty. For more information and to make donations please contact Joe Haines at 303-237-7704 or visit us at www.jeffcoac.org.