Amid record-high inflation, The Village is asking for donations to be able to provide 1,000 new backpacks to local children.

Submitted

Inflation rates are hitting a record high this summer and families in Greater Hartford need help providing their children with new school supplies. On average, shoppers are expected to spend $168 more on school supplies this year compared to 2019.

The Village for Families & Children, in partnership with Staples, has launched a Back-to-School Drive to help outfit 1,000 Greater Hartford students with the school supplies they need to return to school.

At a press conference in West Hartford on Monday, Village President & CEO Galo Rodriguez announced the drive and shared about the increased need – and how the community can help.

“At The Village we help support families holistically, and part of that is recognizing how financial stress has a direct impact on their mental health and overall well-being,” Rodriguez said. “We know that when children have the tools to learn and feel good about themselves, they’re in a better place to thrive and succeed.”

Rodriguez shared that online donations to the Back-to-School can be made at thevillage.org/school. Donations of new school supplies can be made at partnering Staples locations in West Hartford, Glastonbury, and West Simsbury from Aug. 22-26, or at The Village’s Back-to-School Drive in-person event at Staples on Saturday, Aug. 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Those who donate at the in-person event on Aug. 27 will be entered to win a Staples gift card.

West Hartford Staples General Manager Adnan Hoque, West Hartford Board of Education Chair Lorna Thomas-Farquharson and a family who will receive support from the Back-to-School Drive also spoke during the event about how this effort will be an asset to local families.

The Village launched a back-to-school donation drive at the West Hartford Staples this week. Courtesy photo

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