Annual school supply drive nets 17,000 items for Buffalo kids

The UB community gets an A+ for generosity, donating more than 17,000 items for this year’s school supply drive sponsored by the Office of Community Relations.

Since 2009, the Office of Community Relations has conducted a school supply drive to assist students in Buffalo schools that include Futures Academy 37, PS 33 Bilingual Center, PS 18 Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, Highgate Heights Elementary, Westminster Community Charter School and Southside Elementary.

Donations included 1,746 pencils, 658 markers, 623 pens, 296 spiral notebooks, 260 two-pocket folders, 164 packages of crayons and 130 composition notebooks, among other items.

“Providing children with these supplies allows them to focus on school and gives them the tools they need to help them learn,” says Tess Morrissey, director of community relations.

“The generosity of our faculty, staff and students is another example of the university’s support and impact in the city and region.”

In all, 43 departments and offices across the university contributed to this year’s supply drive.