(Gabe Pierce, Unsplash)
Sep. 9, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
A local relief group that has been providing food to hard-hit residents during the pandemic has launched a school supply drive.
The Long Island City Covid-19 Relief Group — which has raised more than $150,000 and served up more than 45,000 hot meals to needy residents since it launched in March — is now calling on the public for financial donations for its school supply drive.
The group is also accepting backpacks and various stationery items as well as cash.
Organizers say that local parent-teacher associations usually raise money for the supplies but the shutdown has forced the cancellation of various fundraising events.
LIC Relief wants to make up some of that financial shortfall and is aiming to raise $30,000, which would be split evenly among students in need at PS 111Q, PS 384Q and PS/IS 78Q.
The group’s leaders say that there is a huge demand for school items and many families are in desperate need of assistance.
“We’ve had so many people reach out to us saying they don’t know how they are going to get back-to-school supplies for their kids,” said group co-founder and co-vice president of the PS/IS 78Q PTA Kelly Craig.
Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan is also helping LIC Relief and has donated a number of backpacks, Craig said.
The group is asking the public to make their cash donations via the LIC Relief website.
The Gantry Parents Association, a local parents group, has already made a $500 donation to the fund.
“Children need to feel secure as they begin the 2020-2021 school year and having the necessary supplies is an important part of their return to learning,” the GPA said in a statement Tuesday.
Craig said that LIC Relief is also calling on the public to drop off school supplies at some of the restaurants that have helped the group provide meals for needy residents over the last number of months.
Items like crayons, pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, plastic folders and backpacks can be dropped off at Bella Via Bar and Restaurant, Corazón De Mexico Restaurant, Little Chef Little Café, Centro Pizza Bar and Italian Kitchen, Vernon Grille, Piatto LIC, or Jackson’s Eatery up until Sep. 13, Craig said.
The public can also opt to purchase items from Amazon or Target via the LIC Relief website.
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