Westport's 'Back to School Program' Set for August

WESTPORT, CT — The town's 2016 "Back to School Program" will start Monday, August 8 at Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave., announced Sarah Heath, Director of the Westport Department of Human Services, Tuesday.

The annual program offers gift cards to income-eligible families who have children in the Westport school system, and those families can then purchase new backpacks and school supplies together. The Salvation Army also provides a limited number of Payless gift cards so children can start the school year with a new pair of shoes.

"The Back to School program depends solely upon the generosity of community individuals and organizations," wrote officials in a statement. "Last year, 152 Westport students from 102 income-eligible families received back to school supplies as well as gift cards for a new pair of school shoes. That represents almost eight full classrooms of students."

Donations to the program, at any level, are "greatly appreciated," and those tax-deductible monetary donations can be made payable to “Town of Westport/DHS Family Programs” (memo: Back to School), sent to:

Department of Human Services
110 Myrtle Ave.
Westport, CT 06880

Gift cards of any amount to Staples, Target, Walmart, Old Navy, etc. are appreciated as well and may be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 200 at Westport Town Hall, according to officials.

Families who feel they may qualify for this program are urged to contact the Department of Human Services at 203-341- 1050.

For more information about the program, contact Elaine Daignault at 203-341-1050.

Patch file photo