School Supplies Drive in Port Washington

The back-to-school season can get costly. Expenses for clothing, shoes, doctor appointments, not to mention , adds up quickly. 

To assist families in need, is holding its 12th annual "Kids Tools for School" collection drive. The effort, a collaboration with schools and various agencies, runs through August and helps ensure that students have the supplies they need to learn and perform well in school. 

In an economically challenging year, the collection drive for some children can mean the difference in showing up for school armed with pen and paper, or attending class with an empty backpack.

“Children who go to school without school supplies are at a tremendous social and academic disadvantage," said Brian Edwards, Astoria's senior vice president and director of marketing, in a statement. "They may be embarrassed and discouraged, right from the start."

According to Long Island Cares, thousands of families on Long Island do not have the money to buy school supplies. Despite working full-time, these families are now choosing between putting food on the table, paying the utility bills or rent.

Port Washington residents who want to participate in the Astoria campaign can drop off new supplies or cash donations at any of the bank's branches. Astoria will match up to $10,000 in cash donations to purchase supplies in bulk. Astoria partners with schools, shelters and human service organizations to give out supplies to families in need.

According to Astoria, school supplies can run as much as $75 per child. For families with several children, expenses can cost hundreds of dollars.

This program, Edwards noted, levels the playing field, so students start the year with their best foot forward.