Scout's Donations to Help Students in Need

Local Girl Scout Andie Kanaras is collecting school supplies for the United Way program at local venues until Friday, July 29.

"We can all be a part of our community," Andie said in an appeal emailed by the township Recreation Commission. "The United Way gives you the opportunity to help other children just like you to be able to walk through the first day of school being happy and confident.  This program helps students in our region receive much-needed school supplies."

Andie is working on her Girl Scout Silver Award for Troop 878.

Donations of new items can be dropped off at the Warren Summer Playground Camp and outside the Warren Township offices.

Items needed include:
- Backpacks
- all school supplies including calculators, pocket dictionaries, composition notebooks, pens, pencils, binders, jumbo book covers, glue sticks, crayons, etc. (all school supplies are needed)
- Personal hygiene items such as deodorant, Band-Aids, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.
- Clothing items for younger children such as socks, underwear, sweatpants, sweatshirts, etc.
- Gift cards that can be used to purchase items such as shoes are also welcome

Andie's drive is part of the United Way 's 21st Annual Stuff the Bus initiative, which provides 6,000 children in need with basic school supplies.

The United Way of Northern NJ will be accepting donations on Monday, August 22 at United Reformed Church in Somerville between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Since 1990, United Way Stuff the Bus has partnered with nearly 100 local companies and civic organizations to hold collection drives throughout July and August. Last year, 40,000 school supplies, valued at $90,000, were distributed to more than 6,000 children who qualified for the federal free-and-reduced lunch program at 40 Somerset County schools.

United Way research shows that nearly 30 percent of Somerset County families do not earn enough to be self sufficient.

“School officials tell us that children routinely show up to school without the basic tools they need to do their school work,” said Philip A. Brown, III, chief professional officer of United Way of Northern New Jersey in Somerset County. “United Way is committed to ensuring that all of our children have access to the basic foundation they need to succeed in school, setting them up for lifelong success.”

For more information about making donations, holding a United Way Stuff the Bus drive or to volunteer with sorting supplies, please email Irene Natale at irene.natale@unitedwaynnj.org or call (908) 253-6511.