Borough Hall hosts school supply drive

Borough Hall is starting a school supply collection next week. Photo by Wasted Time R via Wikimedia Commons

By Rachel Vick

Starting Monday, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards is collecting school supplies and backpacks for students in need.

He said that the annual drive is more important than ever as students return to in-person classes after a year of virtual learning and financial struggles.

“COVID-19 has been extraordinarily rough on Queens families, especially those with school-age children who had to struggle continuing their education as best they can while also taking the necessary measures to protect themselves from the virus,” Richards said.

“Our backpack and school supply donation drive will make life a little easier for many of these hard-working families by providing them with the tools kids need to get the upcoming school year off to a great start,” he added.

The borough president’s office is also collecting #2 pencils, pencil cases, pencil sharpeners, crayons, pens, colored pencils, washable markers, Elmer’s glue, glue sticks, composition notebooks, 1.5” and 1” binders, ruled paper, safety scissors, rulers, pocket folders, and scientific calculators.

Donations can be left in a box in the lobby of Borough Hall until Sept. 1. Questions about the drive can be sent to education@queensbp.org.