Florida’s child welfare agency is partnering with other groups to hold its first ever “Back to School Supply Drive” for foster care kids.
Now through September 2nd, Floridians are encouraged to fill backpacks with basic school supplies for foster kids of any age. David Frady, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Children and Families, hopes the public will take advantage of the back-to-school sales tax holiday.
“We know that it can be tough for any parent to pull together all the supplies they may need to send their kid to school, ready to succeed and ready to learn. But, it can be especially challenging for foster families,” he said. “So, what we’re doing is we’re asking people—as the tax free weekend comes up this weekend August 3rd to 5th—as they’re collecting school supplies for their own children or for children they may be collecting supplies for, to go ahead and get another backpack and fill it full of supplies a child in foster care would like to have.”
DCF is partnering with community based care agencies as well as a non-profit group Ticket to Dream Foundation through its Mattress Firm Foster Kids program. The backpacks filled with supplies can be dropped off at any Mattress Firm location across Florida. For more information, visit DCF’s website or TicketToDream.org.
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