IMA Urgent Care Collects $2K In School Supplies For Bayshore Kids

HAZLET, NJ — As most parents know, buying new school supplies is expensive. But for some struggling families, it is sadly downright unaffordable.

That's why the clients and staff at IMA Urgent Care Centers participated in a back-to-school drive this August. The drive resulted in more than $2,000 in clothing and school supplies being collected to help local kids. These are all brand-new and unused school supplies and kids' clothing.

This is the second August in a row IMA has done the drive. But this year, the drive was also held to help a particular child who attends Port Monmouth elementary. Earlier this summer, a social worker for that child's family contacted Patch and asked us if our readers could help buy her new clothes, as the child's single mother is unable to. Patch in turn contacted IMA.

This week, that child in particular was given five bags full of new clothes for the upcoming school year. The clothes were dropped off with Port Monmouth's principal, Maureen McCormack. The girl was also given a new backpack full of school supplies.

The rest of the items will be given to local Bayshore-area children. Items will be given to the RAINE Foundation, Lunch Break, Ocean Avenue Elementary School and Port Monmouth elementary school.

It’s estimated that nationwide families spend over $700 on back to school supplies.

“IMA is always happy to help our local community, and we are happy to help provide local school children with the basic necessities to start the school year off right,” said IMA President and Middletown resident, Dr. Roger Thompson. “We are always grateful to IMA’s generous patients for supporting our back-to-school drive.”

Back-To-School Essentials 2019: Backpacks, Laptops And Supplies: Don't wait until the last minute — stock up on everything you need for the upcoming school year now!