New School Supplies Being Collected For Somerset County Kids

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Although summer is just beginning, the new school year will be here before you know it. And the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women is already collecting new school supplies for children in need.

Their annual “Project First Class” school-supplies collection will benefit children of families served by the Food Bank Network and other nonprofits in Somerset County.

New school supplies – such as notebooks, three-ring binders (1½ to 3 inches), pencil cases that fit inside binders, paper, glue sticks, safety scissors, index cards, highlighters, markers, pens, pencils and crayons – will be accepted along with new or gently-used backpacks.

“Many families are struggling to make ends meet, and for them, school supplies are unaffordable,” said Freeholder Patricia Walsh, commission liaison. “We hope that individuals, organizations and businesses once again will support Project First Class and help these children get a good start in school this fall.”

Donations may be dropped off to the Somerset County Freeholders’ Office on the third floor of the county administration building at 20 Grove St., Somerville, now through Friday, Aug. 3. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for July 4. Free parking is available in the adjacent Bernie Field Parking Deck off East High Street.

Donations also may be dropped off Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m., through Aug. 1, at the Somerset County Clerk’s Office, located on the first floor of the administration building. The office will be closed for the July 4 holiday. However donations also may be dropped off there Saturday, July 7, from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information, email commission member Stella Ayala at sccswomen@gmail.com.

(Image via Somerset County)

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