Mark Lagace and RaeLynn Fuson from Home Start talked about their school supply drive and who it will help the most. What is the Backpack Drive? • For struggling families, school supplies can be difficult to access. Home Start is collecting school supply donations throughout the month of July for its annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive. • The donations will benefit students from kindergarten through 12th grade to better prepare them for the school year. What are some of the supplies that Home Start is collecting? • Sturdy backpacks, binders, scissors, pencil sharpeners, reusable water bottles, hand sanitizers, tissues, etc. Where are the supplies going? • The supplies are going to children who receive services from Home Start. What is Home Start? • Home Start is a nonprofit that provides services tailored to prevent child abuse and neglect and to strengthen families. Their mission is to assure the safety and resilience of children. • For 50 years, Home Start has addressed conditions that can contribute to risky or abusive situations – poverty, unsafe neighborhoods, lack of affordable housing, and unemployment – while concurrently addressing individual self-sufficiency and emotional needs. • Last year, Home Start served over 17,000 San Diegans in need of services. Where can donations be dropped off? • Home Start’s main location at 5005 Texas Street, Suite 203, San Diego, CA 92108. • Be sure to drop them off on Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 5pm How long is the Backpack Drive? • Home Start is collecting donations through July 29th. What other ways can people donate? • Home Start is also accepting school supply donations through their AmazonSmile Wishlist, which you can find on their website at www.home-start.org/2022-home-start-backpack-drive. • These items will be shipped directly to Home Start. • All shopping through AmazonSmile supports Home Start. The website donates a portion of every purchase price to the organization.