At Give a Kid a Chance’s first back-to-school drive four years ago, volunteers outfitted 100 youngsters. The following year’s drive served 1,000 and the group expects at least 2,500 this year.
“We’re seeing a lot of people who have never had to ask for help before,” said volunteer Nancy Bowling.
Donations of clothing and school supplies are still needed for this year's event, planned for July 25 at His Hands Church in Woodstock and the Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club in Canton (Info: giveakidachance.org). It's one of a growing number of such events, as metro Atlanta's charitable set has made back-to-school a philanthropic focus.
"Backpacks are the new black," said Frank Bragg, president of For the Kid in All of Us (forthekid.org). The charity collected backpacks last month at a party in Grant Park sponsored by the InterContinental Hotels Group. "Our goal was 1,200," he said. "We're almost up to 1,600."
The bags, stuffed with supplies, are being donated to organizations such Cool Girls, which received bags this week.
“They’re getting something new, and it’s theirs,” said executive director Sandy Welfare, who says returning to school with needed supplies boosts students’ academic and emotional success. “They don’t want to be the girl who doesn’t have her school supplies.”
A handful of statistics illustrate growing need, namely the state’s unemployment rate, which has just jumped to double digits. The number of public school children qualifying for free or reduced lunch is on the rise, too. Last fall, more than 53 percent of the state’s public school students qualified, up from just over half the year before, according to data from the Department of Education.
The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta is predicting up to double the need for school supplies and clothing, said spokeswoman Lafeea Watson. Many of those needing help now have, themselves, been contributors during better times.
“We’re now seeing them as victims of foreclosures or downsizing,” Watson said.
Throughout metro Atlanta, volunteers are working to meet the need. Families First is collecting school supplies through July 31 for foster children and those transitioning from homelessness or public housing.
"We have seen a 20 to 40 percent increase in counseling and employee assistance requests from families struggling with layoffs and financial problems due to the economic downturn," said volunteer services manager Eliza Larsen ( volunteer@families first.org, 404-853-2857). Belk and The Junior League of Atlanta are teaming up for a book drive running July 20 to 26 for Sheltering Arms Early Education and Family Centers (shelteringarms forkids.com). And Club Blue, a group of young professionals who hold socials to benefit Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, will collect school supplies at its Aug. 19 Metromixer party, and has drop boxes placed around town. (See clubblue.org for details and locations.)
Beth Scarbrough chairs the service drives for the Country Club of the South Charity Guild. In the past the guild has run food or clothing drives, but this year it added a school supplies drive.
“There’s a huge need,” she said. Guild members are collecting items from July 27 to Aug. 3, and will donate them to the Children’s Restoration Network and The Bridge, both organizations that serve young people. Scarbrough said the guild plans to involve young Country Club of the South residents in sorting and stuffing the backpacks meant for their less fortunate contemporaries.
“So many kids in our area are very privileged,” she said. “I think it’s good for them to see the needs that are out there. It gives them a greater appreciation. So many of the kids who need a backpack might go to their school.”
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