Back to School Supply Drive for Local Families in Need

Neighbors Helping Neighbors with Blast Off 2 School

Every year, Neighborhood House helps local children head back to school fully prepared. This year, Neighborhood House and Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan are excited to announce the “Blast Off 2 School” school supply drive. Neighborhood House will again provide 500+ backpacks and grade appropriate school supplies to families in need. Individuals, organizations and businesses can help by donating school supplies through July 31.

Families in need will receive the supplies mid-August. The children must reside in the Neighborhood House service area, which is Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Oakland Township and Addison Township (Leonard and Lakeville). “Blast Off 2 School’s success depends on the community’s support,” said Natalie Reilly-Finch, Fund Development Manager for Neighborhood House. “Each year we ask the community to donate supplies and help pack the backpacks, and the outpouring of support is phenomenal. It truly makes a difference in these families’ lives.”

The following items are especially in need:

• Flash drives
• Backpacks (boys and girls)
• 3-Ring Binders (1 ½ and 2 inch)
• Binder Dividers (sets of 5)

Other items you can donate:

• Spiral Notebooks (wide and college ruled)
• Loose-leaf Notebook Paper (wide and college ruled)
• Highlighters
• Markers (Classic and Fine Point)
• Pocket Folders (with and without prongs)
• Pencil boxes and pouches
• Pencils (#2 and mechanical)
• Colored Pencils (24 count)
• Erasers (large or pencil-top)
• Elmer’s Glue and Glue Sticks
• Scissors (dull and sharp points)

School supplies can be dropped off at Ram’s Horn (Rochester Road and Hamlin in Rochester Hills), Culver’s (Lapeer and Dutton in Lake Orion), as well as any Neighborhood House location, including the main offices at 1720 South Livernois, the Clothes Closet at 44 Mill Street or the Food Pantry at 1315 N. Pine Street. More drop off locations to come – visit Neighborhood House’s Facebook Page for updates. Neighborhood House would like to thank the Crittenton Hospital Medical Center Associates for their pledge to collect and donate backpacks for Blast Off 2 School. Crittenton’s commitment to the community is sincerely appreciated.

For families who may be in need of school supplies

Through this program, families will receive backpacks filled with back-to-school supplies along with information, waivers and resources for health physicals, haircuts, and other important assistance programs. This event is free for families with children aged 4-18 years old who qualify for Medicaid or Free and Reduced Lunch programs. Families must register and choose a pick-up date and time. To register, visit www.ranh.org or call us at 248-651-5836. Eligible families must live in Auburn Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Leonard or Lakeville. The dates for this event are August 14-16 at Neighborhood House by appointment only.

About Neighborhood House

Neighborhood House is a nonprofit serving Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Oakland Township and Addison Township. They provide rent and utility financial assistance, operate a Food Pantry and Clothes Closet, offer transportation services, provide counseling, facilitate many educational programs for families in need, and more. Last year, Neighborhood House’s programs helped over 3,000 households on their path from financial crisis to self-sustainability. Follow Neighborhood House on Facebook.