Community Corner

Helping Hands in West Islip Hosts Backpack, Lunch Box Drive

As kids all over say goodbye to school and celebrate the summer break by going to camp or on vacation, Helping Hands in West Islip is aiming to help less fortunate children.

The local non-pofit is hosting a backpack and lunch box drive on Wednesday at the American Legion Hall is West Islip. All donations will be distributed to underprivileged children in the area.

Helpings Hand will be collecting donations of new or gently used backpacks as well as school supplies such as pens, pencils, notebooks, glue sticks, etc. to be given to children for the new school year in September.

They will also collect luch boxes or decorated bags filled with lunch and snack items including juice boxes, granola bars, cereal, crackers, etc. which will be handed out to children involved in summer programs who receive free lunches during the school year.

Last year, more than more than 100 backpacks were given to various groups, children’s centers and local families.

All items can be dropped off on Wednesday at the American Legion Post before 9:30 a.m.

Helping Hands also collects various donations on an ongoing basis. Visit their website for more information.


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