United Way of St. Johns County and INK! (Investing in Kids) to host drive-thru collection event at Fruit Cove Middle School
“We are proud to partner in this county-wide school collection drive,” said Donna Lueders, Executive Director of INK! (Investing in Kids). “This collaboration maximizes the strengths of both organizations to have the greatest impact on the targeted demographic without duplicating services. All supplies collected will benefit the teachers and students of the St. Johns County School District. This will extend to distance learning as well.”
As this pandemic continues, many families and senior citizens in our community are challenged to stretch budgets. Local food pantries are often the first resource for assistance, but many are greatly depleted. In May, United Way-SJC held drive-thru collections in St. Augustine Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach and expects to be equally successful in the Northwest part of the county.
“When you combine food insecurity with the additional needs of school supplies, parents often are unsure of where to turn, but I know we can count on the generosity of this community,” said Melissa Nelson, President/CEO of United Way of St. Johns County. “We can all celebrate that a child is able to successfully learn because he, or she, has the right tools, a nutritious breakfast and the support of their neighbors.”
Drivers are asked to enter Fruit Cove Middle School (3180 Race Track Road) from the west side of the campus, adjacent to Julington Creek Plantation Park, and exit onto Durbin Creek Blvd. Volunteers will be wearing PPE and maintaining proper social distancing guidelines.
Suggested school supply donations: disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, glue sticks, markers, pens, pencils, highlighters, sticky notes, composition notebooks, 3-ring binders, folders, erasers, index cards, scissors, flash drives, earbuds, dry erase markers, rulers, compasses, protractors, calculators, tab dividers and pencil cases.
Suggested non-perishable food donations: peanut butter, canned soup, canned or dried fruit, canned beans and vegetables, cooking oils, canned meat, pasta, rice, instant potatoes, granola bars, nuts, crackers and cereal. Donations that cannot be accepted: items needing refrigeration, expired food, leftovers, baked goods and Items with glass or cellophane packaging.
