Ready, Set School! Back to School Drive

We're hosting our 4th back to school drive benefiting 100 refugee, immigrant and children in underserved communities in Buffalo, NY and 80 orphans in the Democratic Republic of Congo!

School supply lists are growing in length and cost, placing an extra burden on families. The National Retail Federation estimated that in 2021, parents with children in grades K-12 would spend an average of $848 per household on supplies. Our goal is to alleviate this expense for families in Buffalo, NY who struggle to meet the basic needs of their children. For orphans in the Democratic Republic of Congo, public education is not only fee-based making it an unattainable basic need, but for those that do manage to attend school, they often learn without notebooks, pencils or any supplies therefore additional support is desperately needed.  

Collection dates (backpacks, school supplies, food & monetary donations): July 1-August 3, 2022.

Drop-off locations:

• Sasmita Batik Indonesia | 43 Allen St, Buffalo NY
• The W Spa | 8500 Roll Rd, Clarence Center, NY 14032
• Yalley's African Restaurant | 290 Kenmore Ave Buffalo NY 14223
• African Diaspora Connection Booth (July 9th only) | 1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Other Ways to donate:

• Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/BXBAZ7TLE0HF?ref_=wl_share
• Our website: Support Us | ICA (childadvancement.org)

Our Needs:

• Monetary donations 
• 100+ backpacks
• Supplies: Notebooks, pencils, composition notebooks, 1”, 1.5”, 2” 3” binders, two-pouch folders, dividers, blue/red/green/black pens, scientific calculators, highlighters, crayons, headphones, paper, sharpies, expo markers, scissors, colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, index cards, sticky notes, glue sticks, Crayola markers, dividers.
• Food:Cereal, barley, dry beans (black, pink, pinto), dry lentils, dry black/green peas, rice (Jasmines or Basmati), all-purpose flour (unbleached), sugar and yeast.
• Gift Cards: $25, $50, $100 +

Distribution date & time: August 6, 2022 | 11:00am-1:00pm (must pre-register by emailing info@childadvancement.org)

Day of the distribution activities:

• Distribute donations of backpacks, school supplies and food.
• Financial Literacy session to be delivered by M&T Bank to high school aged children
• Job search and resume writing workshop
• Free warm meal, drinks and snacks.
• Free manis, face-painting, and more!

We're also seeking event sponsors to help us cover the cost of meals, drinks and snacks the day of distribution and partners willing to conduct fun and educational activities for the children. If interested in sponsoring this event or would like to partner with us, please contact Piyali Campbell info@childadvancement.org. 

We thank our partners Christ is the Answer Friend Church, African Diaspora Connection, Yalley's African Restaurant, SheCan Network, The W Spa, and Sasmita Batik Indonesia.