This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

YMCA Project: (Stuff a) Backpack

The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit is collecting backpacks and school supplies for low-income families with school-age children in order to help shoulder back-to-school expenses during its 7th annual “Project (Stuff A) Backpack” campaign.

“The gift of a backpack stuffed with school supplies and accessories will help equip a student for success and relieve some of the financial stress parents are shouldering,” said Reid Thebault, president and chief executive officer for the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. “Families with school-age children face many financial demands and the current economic climate makes providing clothing, child care and school supplies even more difficult. This small contribution can be a significant one.”

Due to the economy, parents aren’t looking to spend as much this year on school supplies.

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to a survey done by the National Retail Federation, families with children that will be attending school this fall, only plan to spend an average of $634.78. This is down from last year’s $688.62, and puts the estimated total amount spent this year at $26.7 billion.

To encourage donations, the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, which primarily serves Wayne, Macomb, Oakland and Livingston counties where families with school-age children represent a significant portion of the population, is offering financial incentives for contributions to the campaign. This includes a 75% discount on joiner’s fees to those who make an eligible school supply donation (a savings of up to $188 depending on membership type).

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

YMCA will be collecting new back-to-school items at all of its locations in metro Detroit the entire month of August. Notebooks, folders, backpacks and lunchboxes are the items in greatest demand. All school supply donations will benefit students grades K-12 in the metro Detroit community. Consumers are encouraged to visit www.ymcadetroit.org for a list of locations and hours of operation. 

The school supplies will be distributed to area schools in early September. To find

For more information contact Chad Creekmore at ccreekmore@ymcametrodetroit.org or call (313) 223-2487. To locate a YMCA in your area, visit http://ymcadetroit.org/detroit-ymca-locations.

 

###

About the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit:

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  Throughout Metro Detroit, Y's engage more than 300,000 men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the region’s health and well-being and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.  Anchored in communities throughout Metro Detroit, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.  For more information go to www.ymcadetroit.org  or contact Chad Creekmore at (313) 223-2487.




We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Rochester-Rochester Hills