Glue, crayons, and folders are all part of the school supplies that volunteers from The United Way are packing into backpacks at Catholic Social Services in Hazleton.
President & CEO The United Way of Greater Hazleton, Gary Perna says, "In that school district we are seeing about, you know, 60% to 70% of the children in that district who are at or below the poverty line, and families are struggling. You know, inflation is high, prices keep going up so we get it. We understand."
Volunteers of the organization are packing twelve hundred backpacks full of school supplies for students in grades K through 12 in the Hazleton Area School District.
"Anything that we can do to help, you know, make it a little easier for them to get their kids ready for back to school and just being able to do something," Perna says.
Families in the Hazleton area are encouraged to register early by calling the United Way's 211 helpline to ensure they receive the backpacks they need.
Perna says, "We've already had a few backpacks out the door already for some summer camps that have happened. We also have some going to different programs, and then we have a pickup day coming up on Tuesday and Wednesday right here in the same building."
Pickups are next Tuesday and Wednesday at Catholic Social Services in Hazleton from 3 to 5 pm.
"We're building a strong foundation, and that starts with our kids, so we want to make sure that they're going to school and have the correct supplies for school. That when they hit the ground on day one they're ready to go. That's the most important part."
The United Way Organization is also providing free haircuts for students, by appointment, on August 26th. To find more information on the free backpacks and free haircuts you can click here.