Local students and their parents are banking on Astoria Federal Savings to help kick off their school year this fall.
The corporation will host its 14th annual school supply drive, called Kids’ Tools for School, throughout August.
The much-needed supplies will be given to local students who come from struggling families.
“We recognize that children who go to school without the necessary school supplies are at a tremendous disadvantage, both academically and socially,” said Brian Edwards, executive vice president of Astoria Federal Savings.
Supplies can cost as much as $100 a year per child, Astoria Federal officials said. They added that in some cases, children start school without the required supplies or with recycle old ones.
“It’s a great feeling to help a child start the year with fresh new supplies and a bright outlook,” Edwards said.
Cash donations or new supplies — including but not limited to backpacks, pens, pencils, lunch boxes and notebooks — will be accepted from August 1 to August 31 at any Astoria Federal branch. There are 85 in Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island and Westchester.
The drive has collected and distributed more than 10 tons of supplies to students over the past 13 years.
Last year, the bank matched up to $10,000 in cash donations to purchase additional supplies. More than 60 local school districts participated.
For more information about the supply drive, visit www.astoriafederal.com.
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