Eastside Baby Corner, which serves children and families in the central Puget Sound region, will be hosting several back-to-school drives to provide children with the tools and confidence to start off the new school year.
The back-to-school drives, known as the Pencils & Pants Drop-Offs, will take place on August 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Issaquah Commons Shopping Center, located at 755 NW Gilman Boulevard, and on September 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CWU Sammamish, located at 120 228th Avenue NE.
“The need has always been there, yet when COVID hit, the need grew as parents were suddenly out of work and those that could barely care for their families before the pandemic, found themselves barely getting by during that time,” said Tricia Barry of Eastside Baby Corner, who brought up how the organization remained open during the pandemic and fulfilled every order for every child.
School supplies needed includes:
- Lined paper (college and wide ruled)
- Lunch boxes
- Spiral notebooks (college ruled)
- Red pens
- Pencil boxes
- Boxes of crayons
- Boxes of markers
- Calculators
New or gently used clothing that is in good condition will also be accepted at the drive. Clothing needed inclues:
- Jeans in sizes 5-14 for boys and girls
- Athletic shoes in sizes 7-13 child, and 1-6 adult boys and girls
- Underwear in sizes 5-14 for boys and girls
- Boys’ sweatpants in sizes 5-14
- Boys’ long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts in sizes 5-14
While Eastside Baby Corner accepts all clothing for children from 0-12 years, the need for boys’ clothing is much greater, said Barry.
“What we communicate to the community as our most needed items are based on what our providers tell us that their family’s need the most and boy’s clothing is always a high need,” said Barry. “In general, boys tend to be a little more hard on their clothing and can get holes in their pants, shirts, etc.”
While Eastside Baby Corner is in the middle of their Pencils & Pants campaign, there are numerous ways in which community members can contribute.
Barry suggests individuals and businesses host collection drives, use the online giving catalog, or donate with a financial gift.
For more information visit https://babycorner.org/
