Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Donate School Supplies to Help Get Philadelphia Children Ready for School

Philadelphia, PA --  Throughout September GroundSwell and Cradles to Crayons are partnering on a school supply donation drive to help local students get ready for the new school year. People living throughout the region are encouraged to donate pencils, rulers, paper and other art supplies at any of eight drop off points throughout the region.

"This week too many kids attended their first day of class without the supplies they need," explained Alison Zeidman of GroundSwell. "If we each pitch in a little bit, together we can make sure area school children have the tools to succeed."

Supplies needed include:
Scissors, colored markers, unlined pads, sidewalk chalk, bead kits, glue, colored index paper, origami kits, modeling clay, colored pencils, pencils and rulers.

Drop-off locations:
The Philadelphia Building - 1315 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Queen Village Art Center - 514 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Blick Art Supply - 1330 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Allens Lane Art Center - 601 West Allens Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119
Abington Art Center - 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Chester County Art Association - 100 North Bradford Avenue, West Chester, PA 19382
Community Arts Center - 414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
Phoenix Village Art Center - 207 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460

Why we need your donation:
When families are living in poverty and there isn’t enough income for groceries or rent, it is a challenge to pay for all the clothes, shoes, books and supplies a child needs to be ready for school. Child poverty is currently at its highest level in 50 years, and with budget cuts affecting schools throughout Pennsylvania, young students need support and resources now more than ever.

About Groundswell:
GroundSwell is a grassroots movement to make Philadelphia a better place to live, work and play. Powered by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, GroundSwell unites residents and organizations in order to leverage arts and culture, libraries, parks and public space to enhance the quality of life in our region. GroundSwell invites residents to Do Something Good for a Change and to become a part of a growing community that’s taking action for a greater Greater Philadelphia. For more information on GroundSwell, visit: groundswellpa.org

About Cradles to Crayons:
Cradles to Crayons is a unique organization which collects all the essential items a child between the ages of 1-12 might need. By engaging over 1,300 volunteers each month, these items are sorted, inspected and packed into customized KidPacks—one week’s supply of essential children’s items tailored for a specific child. KidPacks are ordered online for an individual child by social service agencies, such as domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, foster homes and schools. The social worker then picks up the customer order for a child 3-5 days later.

 

Throughout September GroundSwell and Cradles to Crayons are partnering on a school supply donation drive to help local students get ready for the new school year.