Broome County comes together to send students back to school

(Binghamton, N.Y.) As the time approaches for families to send their children back to school, Broome County has come together to send the youth back to school well-prepared. Multiple different organizations made an effort to get school supplies together for children in need. And bookbag giveaways are taking place all over town over the next couple of weeks.

The City of Binghamton along with CARES (Community Advocates Restoring Educational Standards) held their bookbag giveaway Friday, August 27th from 10am to 12pm at two different locations: Saratoga terrace on Binghamton’s southside and Carlisle apartments on the city’s eastside. Both locations are hotspots for diverse communities of school-age children.

Surviving Ladies Inc. founder Shalace Williams is hosting a bookbag giveaway of her own on Saturday, August 28th. 

You can expect to see children enjoying a full day of fun in the sun at the event. Families are welcome from 12-6 p.m. at Cheri Lindsey Park. Activities will include games, food, a bounce house, and a dunk tank. Music will be provided by the “world famous” DJ Supreme. Bookbags and school supplies will be distributed throughout the day. 

The Broome County Urban League will host their back-to-school giveaway on Wednesday, September 9th from 1-4 p.m. In addition to bookbags and school supplies, volunteers will be handing out home appliances such as mini fridges and toasters, which were donated to the league by graduating students at Binghamton University. All can be picked up from the league on 88 Main Street, free of charge. 

The Urban League’s Director of Youth and Family Services Nikki Restino said it is imperative the league continues to give back to the community they serve. 

“After such a pivotal period of time dealing with the pandemic, it means a lot to us to take part in sending students back to school well-prepared and ready to learn,” Restino said. 

All the above giveaways will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.