Back-to-school shopping is seldom the grinning, hand-holding experience portrayed in TV and print ads.
Other Westporters have a deeper, more realistic fear: They can’t pay for everything their kids need.
Fortunately, Westport’s Human Services Department is on the case.
Its annual Back to School program, offering supplies to eligible families, begins Monday (August 8).
The program provides gift cards to income-eligible families with children in the Westport schools. Families can then buy new backpacks and school supplies together.
Last year, 152 kids from 102 families received assistance. That’s almost 8 full classrooms of kids.
The program depends entirely on the generosity of individuals and organizations. Tax-deductible monetary donations — of any amount — made payable to “Town of Westport/DHS Family Programs” (memo: “Back to School”) can be sent to, or dropped off at, Human Services, 110 Myrtle Ave. (Town Hall), Westport CT 06880.
Gift cards of any amount to stores like Target, Walmart, Old Navy, Staples, etc. are appreciated too. They can be dropped off at Room 200 of Town Hall weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4;30 p.m.
To find out if you qualify for assistance, call Elaine Daignault: 341-1050.