Though the start of a new school year may bring excitement for young students, for many Central Alabama families, it also brings difficult financial decisions. As the cost of everyday essentials continues to rise, purchasing school supplies can stretch already tight budgets while schools work with limited resources to prepare for the year ahead. That’s why each summer, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) joins with schools and community partners in a back-to-school supply drive to provide students with classroom essentials and ease the financial burden on local families.
Collecting backpacks, school supplies and financial contributions, UWCA helps ensure that students start the school year prepared, confident and ready-to-learn. These efforts have extra impact when UWCA’s inCommunity program connects students and families – those who need them most — with those supplies. By bringing services directly onto school campuses, inCommunity works to meet the needs of students by providing essential resources, academic support, prevention education and mentoring. This year, in Fairfield alone, a total of 760 backpacks were distributed though inCommunity events supported by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Chase Bank and Southern Power.
A Community Investment
In partnership with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, a UWCA partner agency, United Way and community partners gathered at the Galilee Baptist Church in Fairfield on August 1st for a back-to-school giveaway. Families enjoyed a fun-filled day including food and free haircuts, where 190 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to Fairfield students.
Then, in partnership with Chase Bank, UWCA and community partners gathered at the Fairfield Civic Center on August 5th to distribute 400 backpacks stuffed with school supplies while students and their families enjoyed games, snacks and free haircuts. The event’s family resource fair also distributed essential community information and support Fairfield residents. UWCA Community School Coordinator Gina Davis-Owens worked with community partners to facilitate both events.
“Beyond the resources themselves, these efforts show students and families that they are valued, supported and surrounded by a community that is invested in their success,” said Davis-Owens.
Support for the Year Ahead
Another event held in collaboration with Southern Power on August 10th at CJ Donald Middle School distributed 170 backpacks to Fairfield students. Each backpack was filled with school supplies such as notebooks, pens and pencils, crayons, folders and loose-leaf paper. UWCA Community Schools Partnership Manager Kala Goudy helped facilitate the event in hopes of reminding families that their community cares for them.
“There is something incredibly special about knowing that a child is supported not only by their family, but by a village,” said Goudy. “It fosters a strong sense of belonging for Fairfield students and families.”
Each student who received a backpack was also provided with a designated gender-specific hygiene kit. According to Davis-Owens, this type of community support sends a powerful message to students and families that their success matters. “When individuals, businesses and organizations invest in these initiatives, they are investing in the future of our children and strengthening the entire community,” said Davis-Owens. Partnerships such as these help create lasting solutions to big problems in our communities – that’s the United Way.
To learn more about UWCA’s annual Back-to-School supply drive, click here.