TOMS RIVER – The Hope Center, sponsored by the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, is collecting items for a school supply drive.
The Center is calling upon residents to help students in need. For some, classroom settings or the kitchen table will still find students without the necessary supplies to have a productive year.
Items needed include crayons; pencils, erasers, pens, scissors, glue sticks, and calculators. Also needed are notebooks (three and five subjects), folders, binders, loose-leaf paper (wide and college ruled), and backpacks for all grades.
The Center previously assisted with a food and diaper drive and has shown support for families in need.
The School Supply Drive will end on Aug. 24. The drop off can be made at 1709 Madison Ave., Pine Lake Park. Donors are asked to place their items in the donation bin that will be on the bench on the porch.
Social distancing will be observed. All donations will be made on Aug. 25.
The Hope Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization initiated by the Clergy Association of Greater Toms River. The group’s mission is to provide support, resources, referrals and food to clients as they work to overcome a current life crisis. It opened in 2008. It consists of a client coordinator and trained volunteers who assist clients in navigating the social service programs within the county to help resolve their issues of housing, utilities and other urgent needs.
