Hopelink campaign to outfit low-income kids with tools for school underway

One-in-three Shoreline School District kids eligible to receive free supplies

Now that summer has finally arrived in the northwest, back-to-school is probably the last thing on kids’ minds. But for thousands of local children in low-income families – including nearly 2,900 in Shoreline Schools – the carefree summer months will soon give way to another worry: whether they will be able to keep up in school without the tools they need to succeed.

For these youth, whose parents struggle every day to make ends meet, essential school supplies can be vital to ensuring they are on equal footing with their peers when classes begin.

As part of its annual “Kids Need School Supplies” drive during the summer months, Hopelink is collecting school supplies to distribute to schoolchildren in low-income families to help ensure they come to school ready to learn.

Local donors – including businesses, service organizations, churches and individuals – are banding together to collect monetary donations as well as a wide range of school supplies that will be distributed to eligible families in north and east King County.

In the Shoreline School District, one-in-three students (33.2 percent) qualify for their school’s free- and reduced-cost lunch programs, which means nearly 2,900 Shoreline students will likely qualify to receive school supplies as well.

The Shoreline school supply drive is coordinated by the Back to School Consortium; a partnership that includes Hopelink, the City of Shoreline, Ronald United Methodist Church, The Works of Shoreline PTA Council, Shoreline School District, Shoreline Community Care, Center for Human Services, Turning Point, and the Dale Turner YMCA.

Supplies particularly needed this year:

• Lined paper – wide and college ruled 
• Spiral notebooks 
• 3-ring binders 
• Composition books 
• Folders 
• Colored pencils 
• Markers 
• Glue/glue sticks 
• Scissors 
• Rulers 
• Red correcting pencils 
• Fine-tipped Sharpies 
• Printer/copy paper 
• 3 x 5 note cards 
• Protractors 
• Graph paper 

For more information about making a donation of supplies or cash to purchase supplies, contact Emily DeWitt at 425-897-3710. Donations also can be dropped off at the Hopelink Shoreline Center through Aug. 20. The center is located at 15809 Westminster Way N. and is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 5pm.

Shoreline families in need of school supplies must register by Aug. 15 with the Back to School Consortium  or contact the Hopelink Shoreline Center for assistance. School supplies will be distributed Aug. 23 at North City Elementary.

Since 1971, Hopelink has served homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities in north and east King County. Hopelink promotes self-sufficiency for all members of our community and helps people make lasting change by addressing their need for food, shelter, family development and stabilization, transportation and adult literacy skills. For more information on Hopelink and its services, call 425-869-6000 or visit the webpage.