Albuquerque Public Schools have established a donation site to collect a wide variety of necessities to help students in need.
The donation site at 1730 University Blvd. accepts everything from underwear and socks to paper and pencils, a recent KOAT report said. The objective is to ensure that every child can go to school with ample clothing and school supplies for the full school year.
Erin Chavez, the special project's facilitator for the donation site, noted that many families may not have the support they need—and some are families that may not have needed help before. She is hoping the project will make things a little easier for them.
"August is always our busiest month,” Chavez told KOAT. “We served about eight to 900 students in August last year. Pencils, pens, crayons, and markers. Being able to support that child and help them with their self-esteem and self-confidence. Little things can make such a difference. And underwear and socks make a difference.”
The facility helped approximately 3,500 students in need last year, and Chavez expects to eclipse that number this year, which has prompted the plea for more donations.
"Imagine a student who wants to go outside and play but can't because their shoes are hurting them because they don't have the socks to wear what they need,” Chavez said. “Our needs have increased over 27% since last year, and that was a COVID year."
Students and parents can contact the facility and request school supplies and clothing.
“They need everything from calculators to a composition book, and that's what we try to keep on our shelves,” Chavez said. “For a kid to have an opportunity just to have the best life and the best education possible is important.”