PCEF Is Packing Backpacks for Kids

It’s a start-of-the-school-year tradition: the shopping trip to buy school supplies like pencils, notebooks, scissors and glue. Unfortunately, some families need help with these purchases.

That’s where the Phoenixville Community Education Foundation’s (PCEF) Pack a Backpack drive comes in.

For the last eight years, PCEF has collected school supplies for needy students in the Phoenixville Area School District, as well as for the Phoenixville Learning Academy, Stepping Stone Education Center and Holy Family Catholic School.

Without the Pack a Backpack drive, the students who receive these backpacks would start school without the necessary supplies.

PCEF Executive Director Sharon Bauer said that the program supplies approximately 500 kids a year.

“We get a count of the number of kids who need supplies and a school supply list from each school,” Bauer said.

Once everything is collected, the supplies are divided up and then delivered to the school.

“Costco in King of Prussia donated 350 new backpacks,” Bauer said. “SEI Investments, they have an SEI Cares Supplies Drive and have collected about $1,000 in supplies. They’ve been a big supporter over the last couple of years.”

Bauer said that the foundation solicits in-kind donations from businesses and retail stores, and also has drop-off points at two Phoenixville Federal Bank locations in Phoenixville and Kimberton.

The two bank locations are still accepting supplies for a few more days. Members of the community who would like to donate can drop supplies off at the Phoenixville branch on Main Street in Phoenixville or the East Pikeland branch on Kimberton Road in Kimberton.

A list of the supplies needed is available at the PCEF website.

The supplies will be collected next week, and volunteers will purchase any items still needed so that each child has a fully stocked backpack.

“Thursday the 25th we’ll be delivering the backpacks to the schools,” Bauer said.

Dr. Maryann Cox, principal at East Pikeland Elementary School, said that the school has been participating since the program started.

“It’s a wonderful program, very beneficial,” she said. “The kids are eager to get their backpacks and open them up.”

Likewise, Dr. Frank Garritano, Schuylkill Elementary School principal, said, “The kids are very excited to get a new backpack and supplies.”

“It helps them get off to a good start for the year,” Garritano said.