(NEWARK, NJ) -- As families across Greater Newark send their children off to school this week for the start of the 2023-24 school year, United Community Corporation (UCC) aims to ensure that students are prepared with the necessary learning tools they need to succeed inside the classroom. 

In doing so, UCC’s Youth, Family and Senior Services Department is hosting a “Pack For Back-To-School” backpack and school supplies distribution for families in the community to access the materials at no cost. The event will be held Friday, September 8, at West Side Park Community Center, located at 600 S. 17th St., Newark. The event will take place from 3:00pm-5:00pm.

“‘Our Pack For Back-To-School’ giveaway is significant because it helps children start better at the beginning of the school year,” said Yolanda Loney, UCC Youth, Family and Senior Services Department Director. “Children must be equipped with what they need to have a better learning experience.”

The event comes to the Greater Newark area following a successful backpack giveaway UCC recently hosted where the community action agency distributed more than 300 book bags and a variety of school supplies to local families. 

With the school year already underway, families still in need of a backpack or school supplies for their youngsters have another opportunity to access these materials for free at this UCC event. The nonprofit will have 350 backpacks on-hand to distribute at Friday’s event alongside a host of other learning materials while supplies last. The supplies list includes notebooks, composition books, folders, pens, pencils, glue sticks, crayons, markers, pencil sharpeners, sanitizer, masks, and facial tissue.

In addition to the backpack and supplies giveaway, UCC staff members will be on-site to provide attendees with information regarding the agency’s outreach services. Groceries will also be provided at the event by UCC’s Food Pantry staff. Saint James Health staff will be providing coronavirus vaccinations and booster shots. Local artist DJ Alvarez will provide music entertainment for the event.

The event comes to Greater Newark as the start of the school year often poses financial stress for underserved families. In fact, a recent Deloitte back-to-school survey reported that prices of school supplies increased 23.7% in the past two years.

By hosting a backpack and school supplies distribution event, UCC officials understand the hardships local families are faced with this time of year and are determined to relieve parents and guardians of those concerns.

“Often, families can’t afford a new backpack and the necessary supplies to get them started,” Loney said. “Our goal is to create a back-to-school excitement that jump-starts a successful school year for our young scholars and helps ease the financial burden of their families.”

The backpacks and school supplies were donated by the generous support of Jersey Cares, Touching Lives and Changing Communities, B.U.I.L.D. Foundation, Sweets for the Soul by Lady J, and Mentor U. This event was also made possible by the support of the following organizations: Amerigroup; Newark Centers of Hope; Essex County Department of Parks and Recreation; The Leaguers; Jacquelyn Lake; Changing the Lens; and Strong Minds.

Learn more about the “Pack For Back-To-School” giveaway and about the UCC’s other vital services at its website.