By Jack Marflak
As families begin preparing for the start of a new school year, the Kearny Public Schools Uniform Exchange (KPSUE) is asking the community to help ensure every local student has the supplies they need to succeed in the classroom.
The organization’s annual School Supplies Drive is underway and will continue through August 20, giving residents several ways to contribute. Community members can donate new school supplies at designated drop-off locations throughout Kearny or purchase needed items directly through the group’s Amazon Wish List.
The drive is designed to help students whose families may be facing financial challenges by providing essential classroom supplies before the first day of school.
While the organization is seeking a wide variety of common school items—including notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders, markers, glue sticks and other classroom essentials—it hopes the community will simply donate whatever new supplies they are able to provide rather than focusing on any one specific item.
“Donations are way down this year, but the need is greater than ever. We have reduced our goal to 400 students, and we urgently need school supplies of every kind except backpacks,” said organizer and founder of KPSUE Jenny Paz. “In previous years, we had pallets of donations arriving from community members shopping our Amazon Wish List. This year, we have barely received one small box per week”.
The hope is that the community will rally in the final weeks of collections. “Our community has always stepped up when local families need support,” organizers say, noting that even small donations can make a meaningful difference for students preparing to return to school.
Residents who wish to donate in person can drop off new school supplies at any of the following locations through August 20:
Kearny Police Department
237 Laurel Avenue, Kearny
Kearny Fire Station Headquarters
109 Midland Avenue, Kearny
Kearny Town Hall
402 Kearny Avenue, Kearny
For those who prefer the convenience of shopping online, KPSUE has an Amazon Wish List, allowing donors to purchase requested school supplies from home and have them sent directly to support the drive. The wish list can be accessed at KPSUE Amazon Wish List at https://a.co/hBA87fW
The online option makes it easy for community members who may not have time to shop locally or visit one of the collection sites while still contributing to the effort.
The Kearny Public Schools Uniform Exchange has become an important community resource by helping local families reduce back-to-school costs. In addition to providing access to gently used school uniforms, the organization works throughout the year to support students and families in practical ways, helping ensure children arrive at school prepared and ready to learn.
Back-to-school expenses can quickly add up for families, particularly those with multiple children. By donating supplies, residents can help ease some of that financial burden while ensuring students have the tools they need for a successful academic year.
Organizers encourage individuals, civic organizations, businesses and community groups to participate in the drive before the August 20 deadline.
Whether donating a few notebooks, a package of pencils or purchasing items through the Amazon Wish List, every contribution helps build a stronger start to the school year for Kearny students.
With several convenient drop-off locations and an online purchasing option, supporting the drive is designed to be simple for anyone who would like to help.
“I understand that times are difficult. I have family members who recently lost benefits they desperately depended on, despite working full time and raising children. My hope is that those in our community who are fortunate enough to be thriving right now will step up and help. Even a small donation can make a meaningful difference for a local child preparing to return to school,” said Paz.
