Civic-Minded Businesses Donate Backpacks to Families in Need

Back-to-school expenses can be a challenge for working families. With high inflation this year, families with school-aged children can expect to spend a hefty average of $864 on school items, according to the National Retail Federation.

Fortunately, local businesses are working to help lighten the financial load. Pediatric Healthcare Associates and ImageFIRST launched a collection of backpacks and school supplies, donating them to United Way of Coastal Fairfield County for distribution to local families in need.

Pediatric Healthcare Associates (PHA), a pediatric practice serving four area towns, held drives in their offices to collect items for local families. It was a true team effort, with patients and staff donating items, and PHA staff--including doctors and nurses--stuffing 30 backpacks between patient appointments.

“We are so very grateful for the PHA-United Way partnership in this effort! Our relationship goes back 15 years,” commented Margo Amgott, United Way’s Interim CEO. “Together we can support families whose needs often go unmet.”

Employees from ImageFIRST, a healthcare linen and laundry service in Trumbull, collected and filled an additional 15 backpacks. According to Cristina Hernandez in Human Resources, the effort was part of the company’s Community Giving Program, which selects a pressing need every month that employees seek to meet. “At ImageFIRST, we want to positively impact our communities. For back-to-school, it’s key to help ensure that all students have a strong start to the new year.”

Annually, United Way identifies a local partner to receive school supply donations, choosing Building Neighborhoods Together (BNT) this year. BNT provides affordable housing and financial counseling to low-and moderate-income families.

Lourdes Duarte-Daluz, BNT’s Resident Services Coordinator, said: “We are so grateful for this donation. It will help families working toward stability--from single parents to grandparents raising grandchildren--meet the financial challenge of back-to-school expenses.”

According to Dr. Andrea Hagani, Chief Executive Officer of Pediatric Healthcare Associates, these efforts are “a win-win” for everyone. She noted, “It feels so good to support local families. I’m not sure who gets more out of the effort—the families or our own staff.”

Area public schools begin classes in the next two weeks.

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United Way of Coastal Fairfield County

United Way of Coastal Fairfield County’s mission is: “Together, we empower people to improve their lives.” Our vision is that all children and families will thrive in school and life. UWCFC serves the towns of Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. Find out more at unitedwaycfc.org/.

Pediatric Healthcare Associates is an independent pediatric group providing patient-centered, evidence-based, quality care for patients from infancy through young adulthood. PHA has locations in Fairfield, Stratford, Trumbull and Shelton, and has been treating Fairfield County children for over 60 years. For more information, visit www.pha4kids.com.

Founded in 1967, ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry Specialists is the largest and fasting-growing national linen rental and laundry service specializing in the healthcare market. ImageFIRST serves medical facilities nationwide, providing linen, patient gowns, scrubs and more. The local office is in Trumbull. For more information, visit www.imagefirst.com.

Building Neighborhoods Together works to end housing insecurity, income equality and homelessness by providing safe, affordable housing, and providing comprehensive financial counseling services to low and moderate income families. For more information, visit www.bntweb.org