#BetterTogether: CBS New York partners with nonprofits for back-to-school drive
NEW YORK -- It's back-to-school time and here at CBS New York we know we're better together.
That's why we teamed up with a team of community organizations for a school supply drive and service giveaway at the complex that houses the Math, Engineering, and Science Academy Charter High School and Intermediate School 291 on Palmetto Street in Brooklyn.
The first day of school is three weeks away and on Thursday, more than 300 local students walked away with backpacks full of supplies like crayons, notebooks, and pencils.
"Bushwick is experiencing a wave of newcomers. Some of them are trying to learn the system so they might not know or have the means to provide for school supplies. And so, what we do is try to connect those families to these giveaways because sometimes they have to choose between buying food and buying these supplies," said Sinthia Pena Ortiz, program director of the Bushwick Community Partnership.
The partnership operates under the umbrella of the Coalition of Hispanic Family Services.
"We want students to feel like they have what other kids have and that there's nothing keeping them from being successful," said Denise Rosario, the organization's executive director.
Dominga Kiempis and her 9-year-old daughter, Guadalupe, saw a flyer for the event and were there hours before the giveaway started.
"There's a lot of people that don't have the money for school supplies and thanks to this organization we could have the backpacks that we need," said Guadalupe, who is entering fifth grade.
So was Carlos Ruiz, a Bushwick father of seven who is sending four of his kids to school in September.
"It is tough, especially me having a lot of kids, but we all manage," he said. "Events like this help us get by, help us start off on the right track."
Donations for the supplies came from a variety of partnering businesses, as well as the team at CBS New York.
A bulk of the items was also donated by local nonprofit, Khleeko.
"It doesn't answer the underlying cause that gives them those socio-economic problems, but we want this to be an opportunity to talk to these families, give them information and knowledge so they're better equipped," said Yaw Asante, Khleeko's founder.
Vendors from various agencies were also on-hand. The goal was to create a one-stop shop for families looking for help and information.
Organizers said families can get help enrolling for health insurance, getting a library card or culture pass, as well as information about after-school programs, mental health resources, and more.