Princeton Backpack Drive Arms 170 Students With School Supplies

PRINCETON, NJ — Thanks to an overwhelming response, the Princeton Human Services Department was able to extend its annual Book Bag Drive to middle school and high school students in the town, officials said on Wednesday. In all, over 170 students received backpacks in the drive that typically benefits students in grades K-6 who are in need.

For the past nine years, the Princeton Human Services Commission, municipal employees, local businesses, organizations and residents have donated book bags and school supplies that have benefited up to 100 Princeton children. The items are distributed to children from low-income families who attend Princeton public schools.

Princeton Human Services thanked Princeton municipal employees, local police officers and the many Princeton residents who made individual donations. They gave a special thanks to Princeton University, W.B. Mason, Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, the Princeton Police Department, the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), Stone Hill Church, Princeton Baptist Church, Young Rembrandts of Central NJ, the Gables at West Windsor, and Corner House for their generous contributions and ongoing support to the Backpack and School Supplies Drive.

“This is truly a community effort and it’s great to see our community come together to ensure our children have adequate supplies as they start a new school year,” the department said in a release. “Human Services has been coordinating this drive for nearly a decade and it wouldn't be possible without the support of all of our donors and volunteers that help during supplies distribution including our staff, Aylin Martinez, Summer Youth Employment Program staff, Jacqueline Estrada, Luis Estrada, Raul Calvimontes, Doris Vasquez, and volunteer Souley Diarra. We look forward to continuing the Book Bag and School Supplies Drive next year and providing this service again to Princeton families.”

The attached images were provided by Princeton officials