West Hartford Program Short of Backpacks to Send Students in Need Back to School

West Hartford’s human services department is putting out a call to help students in need as they get ready to go back to school.

The department’s back to school program makes sure that all West Hartford students have the supplies they need for school by collecting backpacks filled with school supplies. This year, the department said, the number of backpacks donated has fallen short of the need.

While the department collected more than 400 backpacks during its drive earlier in the year, more are needed, and the bulk of the backpacks that were donated are too small for middle school and high school students. Older students make up about half of backpack recipients.

“The distribution is just a few weeks away and we are in desperate need of new, large backpacks appropriate for high school students," the department said in a press release.

The backpacks will be distributed in August.

Suzanne Oslander, community partnerships manager, told the Courant that many of the families who receive the backpacks also use the food pantry and other services. She noted that for those who have trouble paying for food, buying school supplies can be a real challenge. 

For more information, contact The Department of Human Services at 860-561-7561. New backpacks can be dropped off at the Town Hall in the lobby by the service desk or to room 306. Those who would like to help but don’t have time to shop, may make monetary donations to The Town That Cares-Back To School and mail to:
Dept. of Human Services
The Town That Cares-Back To School
50 South Main St Rm. 306
West Hartford, CT 06107