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It's Supply Time For Back-To-School Items

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By LENORA LAKE

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 30, 2008

UNIVERSITY AREA - With the economy faltering, local social services agencies are preparing to help more children than ever in need of free school supplies.

Agency staff and volunteers are collecting donations from individuals, church groups, service clubs and businesses in hopes of supplying the children with backpacks, paper, crayons, pencils and other items before school opens Aug. 18.

Wanda DeLaRosa, executive director of It's All About Kids, said: "With the economy the way it is, parents are struggling with keeping food on the table. We hope to relieve some of that financial stress."

Peter Gorski, director of research and innovation at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, said that being properly prepared with supplies on the first day of school is an important element in a child's success and self-esteem.

"It is so important to hit school on the first day feeling like they are ready," Gorski said.
DeLaRosa said It's All About Kids has received donations from the Krewe of the Black Swan. Several other organizations and corporations are collecting items, and there are two public drop-off days for the supplies scheduled, as well.

She said her organization also sees the supply distribution at an Aug. 9 family literacy festival as a way to encourage parents to participate in their children's education.

"This is a not a one-time commitment," She said. "We want to give them information about resources that can help them."

A social services resource fair also will be part of the annual Back to School Physicals and Immunizations Fair on Aug. 16 at the University Area Community Health Center, 13601 N. 22nd St.

The free event will include physicals and immunizations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an information expo, with about 25 exhibitors, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., said Martine Dorvil, director of community relations for the University Area Community Development Corp., one of the fair's sponsors.

Book bags, funded by the Hillsborough County Health Department, and school supplies, provided through collection drives organized by the University of South Florida's Center of Civic Engagement and the College of Public Health, will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, Dorvil said.

Attendees also can get linens and household items provided by the Ryan Nece Foundation.

Dorvil said the organizers expect an increase over the average of 300 of children needing physicals and immunizations because a Tampa General Hospital outpatient facility that usually provides the service is under renovation this year and cannot participate in the program, which is coordinated countywide by the Back to School Coalition.

Also on Aug. 16, the Triumphant Knights Motorcycle Ministry will assist with a family festival at the North Tampa Community Resource Center, 1401-A E. Fowler Ave., where book bags and supplies will be distributed.

The event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include children's activities and safety programs by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The all-volunteer ministry will collect school supplies in a Ride for Literacy Donation Drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 9 at the resource center, said Bevelyn Bennett, the ministry's chairwoman of the drive.

She said: "We will take whatever they can give. This is the perfect time to buy" a little extra, as many of the stores are having sales and "loss leaders" of notebooks, filler paper and folders.

The ministry is receiving a grant from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to assist with the purchase of backpacks. Donations of cash also will be accepted Aug. 9 and any unused funds will be used to buy clothing for those in need, as was done last year with the first drive, Bennett said.

"It's so needed in our community. Everybody's losing jobs, but the kids still have to go to school," Bennett said. "This really touches my heart."

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Donations and distributions:

It's All About Kids, 12535 Tinsley Circle (Carlisle Lakes Apartments)

Donations of supplies and new books will be accepted from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday or by arrangement.

Distributions will take place at the Buzz Into Books Literacy Campaign Family Activity from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 9.

For details, call (813) 269-4402 or visit www.itsallaboutkids.org.

University Area Health Center, 13601 N. 22nd St.

Distributions will take place during the Back to School Physicals and Immunizations Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 16; physicals and immunizations will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For details, call (813) 870-4747 or (813) 558-5212.

North Tampa Family Resource Center; 1401-A E. Fowler Ave.

Donations will be accepted by the Triumphant Knights Bike Ministry from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 9.

Distributions will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 16 as part of a family fun festival.

For details, call (813) 558-1877.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851 or llake@tampatrib.com.

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