Lynda and Kidz Backpack Project Begins Collections

MOUNT HERMON — Lynda and Kidz Backpack Project announced it is again gathering new or gently used backpacks as well as monetary donations to cover the cost of school supplies in preparation for the 2014-2015 school year. They collect gently used or new backpacks and/or $25 donations to fill them with school supplies. They are then distributed to homeless and low-income youth throughout Santa Cruz County.

The organizer, Lynda Hall said, “This is our 11th year and I need help spreading the word. We have four drop off locations in the county — Deluxe Foods of Aptos, The True Olive Connection in Santa Cruz, Felton Nails and the Felton Post Office. A $35 donation covers the cost to purchase a backpack and the school supplies to fill it. Donations will be collected through July 31.”

The project started in 2003 to assist families throughout Santa Cruz County in preparation for the school year. Lynda and Kidz provides homeless and low-income children with fully stuffed back-to-school backpacks through their partners — the Rebele Santa Cruz Shelter, Homeless Services Center, Walnut Avenue Women and Children’s Shelter, Harbor Light Church, St. Andrews Episcopal Church and the Elm Street Mission. To date, more than 1,000 kids have gotten backpacks.

Last year the Lynda and Kidz Backpack Project distributed 439 backpacks throughout Santa Cruz County to children in need. This year their goal is to provide 500 backpacks. You can help meet this goal by donating a backpack or by making a monetary donation to fill these backpacks with the supplies needed for children to be successful in school.

Ways to help: 1.) Donate a gently used or new backpack
2.) Donate $25 to fill a backpack full of school supplies
3.) Donate $35 to purchase a backpack and the school supplies to fill it 4.) Donate supplies — e.g., key rings, water bottles, pens, etc. (items w/ logos ok!)

To arrange for a donation pick-up or drop-off, contact Lynda Hall — email: kidzbackpacks@gmail.com, telephone 831.332.6371.

How to donate:

1. US Mail to Lynda Hall, P.O. Box 97, Mount Hermon, CA 95041-0097
2. FedEx/UPS to Lynda Hall, 8 Madrone Avenue, Mount Hermon, CA 95041-0097
3. PayPal to Lynda Hall — ID is kidzbackpacks@gmail.com
4. Drop off donations at: True Olive Connection in Santa Cruz, 106 Lincoln St. • Deluxe Foods Of Aptos • Felton Nails (Next to Safeway in Felton) • US Post Office in Felton.

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Lynda and Kidz Backpack Project Website: backpackproject.info Email: kidzbackpacks@gmail.com 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Lynda-and-Kidz-Backpack-Project/119313828154042 Phone: 831.332.6371