To the Editor:

Princeton Human Services once again had a successful Book Bag Drive this year thanks to the many donors who contributed to its success. Each year, the department distributes backpacks to over 150 children from grades kindergarten to 12th. This year, the department received an overwhelming response from donors, allowing the department to extend the drive to Princeton middle and high school students, totaling over 230 students who received backpacks.

For the past 11 years, the Princeton Human Services Commission, municipal employees, local businesses, organizations, and residents have donated book bags and school supplies. Due to the pandemic, the department was able to distribute face masks, hand sanitizer, tissues, and ear buds along with the school supplies to students. The items are distributed to children from low-income families who attend the Princeton Public Schools and are entering kindergarten through 12th grade.

Princeton Human Services would like to thank Princeton municipal employees, local police officers, and the many Princeton residents who made individual donations. And a special thanks to Princeton University, W.B. Mason, the Princeton Police Department, I Support the Girls of Central/South Jersey, Stone Hill Church, and jaZams for their generous contributions and ongoing support to the Backpack and School Supplies Drive.

This is truly a community effort and it’s great to see our community come together to ensure our children have adequate supplies as they start a new school year. Human Services has been coordinating this drive for over a decade and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of all of our donors and volunteers that help during supplies distribution.

We look forward to continuing the Book Bag and School Supplies Drive next year and providing this service again to Princeton families.

Melissa Urias
Director, Department of Human Services