Join the Fight: Help 500 Kids in Need with School Supplies Today!

1500 Independence Blvd., Suite 210, Sarasota, FL, USA - As summer slowly winds down, the back-to-school season looms large, bringing a unique set of challenges for families, particularly when it comes to gathering essential school supplies. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, a typical household can expect to spend around $875 on back-to-school supplies. For families with children in foster care or those involved in prevention and diversion programs, the stress can be even more pronounced, often leading them to start the school year inadequately prepared.

The Safe Children Coalition (SCC) is making strides to combat this issue with its annual Back-to-School Drive, aimed at providing necessary school supplies for nearly 500 children in foster care or enrolled in its programs. „We want to alleviate as much stress as possible for at-risk children and their caretakers,“ said SCC’s President and CEO Brena Slater. The community is invited to step in and lend a hand by donating school supplies throughout the summer, helping ease the burden of this annual transition.

How to Help

The collection period runs from May 20 through June 30, 2025, and the SCC is eager to gather supplies for students K-12. A complete list of needed items is available for download online at the SCC Back-to-School Drive page. Individuals interested in contributing are encouraged to fill out a Back-to-School Drive Form and select a drop-off date between July 7 and July 11, 2025, at SCC’s Northgate office located at 1500 Independence Blvd., Suite 210, Sarasota. Monetary donations are also immensely beneficial, as they directly support programs aimed at assisting vulnerable children and at-risk families.

If you’re interested in making a donation or have any questions, contact Stephanie Coachman at 941-315-3071 or via email at scoachman@sccfl.org. Late donations will still be accepted and distributed to children in need.

The Bigger Picture

It’s worth noting that the issue of providing school supplies is not confined to our local area. Nationally, nearly half of children in U.S. public schools come from low-income families, with approximately 16 million children lacking access to essential supplies. This gap doesn’t just impact their academic performance but also affects self-esteem and motivation. A staggering 25% of students across the nation cannot afford the school supplies they need, a reality that has inspired various initiatives like the United Way’s Stuff the Bus program, aiming to mobilize communities to bridge these educational gaps.

Closer to home, the United Way of Hernando County has successfully executed its Stuff the Bus initiative for 18 years, amassing thousands of pounds of supplies that benefit classrooms across multiple schools. Volunteers play a vital role in this effort, dedicating hours to ensure that children in need can return to school with the tools they require for success.

As our own SCC Back-to-School Drive gears up, it reminds us of the tangible ways we can make a difference in our community. When you donate, no matter the size of your contribution, you are directly impacting the lives of children who need it most. So, whether it’s school supplies or monetary support, there’s something to be said for stepping up and giving back.

Let’s rally together as a community to ensure that every child has the chance to walk into their classroom ready to learn and thrive. Join us in making this school year a little brighter and a lot more equitable for all.