My Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It is that time of year again – as I have done for the past several years – I am again requesting your assistance in donating to the “Supply Sacks” Program – a program dedicated to assist the immense number of children who reside in foster care in our town as well as our surrounding communities.
I am very happy to state that the North Attleborough Town Hall and the Attleboro YMCA have agreed to partner with me, in this project, so that, together, we will be able to supply a backpack filled with clothes and other basic necessities to every child that is newly entering our local area Department of Children and Families Office (formerly the Department of Social Services). Any donation, of any kind or denomination, will directly benefit the foster children, with no administrative costs. Therefore, please keep these children, in mind, as we ourselves are getting our own children/grandchildren ready for another year of school.
The basic items that are needed are as follows:
- Backpacks
- Personal Care Items
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Combs
- Hairbrushes
- Soap
- Etc.
- Books
- Toys
- Stuffed Animals
- Small Toys
Infants/Toddlers
-
- Diapers – Wipes
- Diaper Cream
- Pacifiers – Teethers
- Sippy Cups – Spoons
- Bottle Brushes
- Baby/Children Shampoo
School Supplies
-
- Notebooks
- Binders
- Folders
- Tab dividers
- Filler paper
- Reinforcement tabs
- Mechanical pencils
- Colored pencils
- Dry erase markers
- Clothing
- Warm Pajamas
- Under Garments
- Socks
- Footwear
- Any necessities that will benefit a child, from newborn to eighteen years of age
- Monetary donation
Please know that I do very much realize that these remain to be very tough and different economic times (for many much more difficult due to COVID) making it most difficult for some individuals to donate to various programs – but even a small donation will be greatly appreciated. As we (ourselves) are having to adjust to a new normal as well as various challenges; unfortunately, it has also greatly affected many children as there has been a vast increase in the number of children entering the Department of Children and Families.
If you are able and interested in donating, there will be two drop off locations: the North Attleboro Town Hall (located at 43 S. Washington St. in North Attleborough) and the Attleboro YMCA (located at 63 North Main Street in Attleboro). If you wish to drop off at the North Attleborough Town Hall, the collection drop off will be in the Main Lobby; with any monetary donations being brought to the Office of the North Attleborough Town Clerk. If you wish to drop off at the Attleboro YMCA, there will be collection boxes, in the parking lot, directly outside the main entrance doors. These two locations have generously agreed to collect any items or monetary donation beginning Monday, Aug. 17 through Friday, Sept. 18. Please know that any and all donations are sincerely appreciated.
Also, I would like to sincerely thank the Sun Chronicle and North Star Reporter—unfortunately, due to COVID, they are unable to participate as a collection point as they have always done in the past. Therefore, I would like to sincerely thank them for their participation as well as assistance and support for the Supply Sack Program. They were wonderful partners and I do very much appreciate all of their past effort for this worthwhile program.
Please remember that our goal is to ensure that every child, new to foster care, receives a backpack to assist them in beginning a new school year or transitioning them to a new foster home. I know that, we as a community, can come together to assist these children as we want our own children/grandchildren cared for (especially in these new times when there has been a vast increase in the number of children entering the Department of Children and Families).
Thank you, Betty Poirier, State Representative
