PSEG Employees Dig Deep, Provide School Supplies To Needy

HUNTINGTON, NY — Every parent knows they're going to feel the financial blow when it's time to buy school supplies — but the numbers may surprise.

According to the annual Backpack Index, prepared by Ohio-based Huntington Bank and the national Communities in Schools dropout prevention program, the cost of school supplies can be crippling for parents struggling to make ends meet.

In 2018, back-to-school supplies are estimated to cost $637 for elementary school children; $941 for middle school children; and $1,355 for high school students, the study said.

Not wanting any student to go to school empty-handed, employees at PSEG Long Island dug deep to help, with a school supply drive providing nearly 400 filled backpacks to help kids in need.

All summer, employees in PSEG Long Island’s offices were encouraged to donate school supplies to the employee outreach council’s annual school supply drive, a volunteer-based initiative.

Thousands of boxes of crayons, pencils and pens, notebooks and binders, rulers, scissors, and other necessities were collected and packed by two dozen employee volunteers, PSEG said.

“I am continuously amazed by the generosity and thoughtfulness of our employees,” said Nancy Campo, president of PSEG Long Island’s Employee Outreach Council. “Every year we put the call out and every year, they come through with generous donations for our area school kids and a willingness to pitch in and get the job done.”

The backpacks were dropped off at local food pantries, outreach centers and Family Service League locations in Riverhead, Bay Shore and Huntington, PSEG said.

Patch photo courtesy PSEG Long Island.