South Suburban Family Shelter (SSFS) is seeking out “back to school angels” who can help the agency cover back-to-school supplies expenses for children.
The past nine years, local “angels” have adopted the school supply lists for several hundred children who receive services at SSFS, an agency that provides services to victims of domestic violence and their children.
“You can adopt a student yourself, or get a group of people together to adopt a student and split the list up,” according to Linda Schmidt, volunteer project coordinator. “This is a great opportunity to do community service with your own children because it is something they can relate to and understand.”
Many local organizations and individuals have been very generous over the years with donations for this program, and the agency is hoping people will be just as generous this year, said SSFS Director of Clinical Services, Carol Gsell.
“Parents are trying to figure out how they are going to find the money to send their kids back to school with the things they need,” she said, “and the kids are worried about being the only child in the classroom without their supplies when school starts.
“School supply lists have become very extensive in the last few years with schools no longer requiring just the basic pens, pencils, crayons, markers and notebooks. Teachers have specific items they need for their classrooms and we want our clients to not worry about how expensive these school lists can be. Many children also need gym shoes and uniforms, which our clients just can’t afford to buy,” Gsell noted.
Schmidt said donors do not have to do the actual shopping for supplies. SSFS is accepting gift cards from office supply stores and retailers where school supplies can be purchased. Donors can also send a check payable to South Suburban Family Shelter at P.O. Box 937, Homewood, IL 60430, Attention: BTS Angels.
Those interested in being an angel, or looking to volunteer, should contact Schmidt at [email protected] or call SSFS at 708-794-2140, ext. 303. Donations brought in by Aug. 1 would be most helpful but are welcome after that date as well.
For more information about South Suburban Family Shelter, call 708-794-2140, or visit www.ssfs1.org.