In an effort to ensure Queens children are fully prepared for the school year this September, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. will be hosting his annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaways series, with the first of eight distributions taking place Thursday, Aug. 13, in Corona.
Backpacks at each giveaway will be distributed on a first come, first served basis — one per child — while supplies last. Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to receive a backpack.
“The first step to making sure our kids are successful in the classroom is by giving them the physical supplies they need in order to thrive,” Richards emphasized, adding that his office takes such pride in the annual event. “No matter their ZIP code or socioeconomic status, our students deserve to start school on the right foot and our parents deserve peace of mind knowing their children have everything they need come that first day.”
The Aug. 13 giveaway will take place at Corona Plaza, at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and National Street, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Elected leaders and local organizations will also be partnering with Richards for tomorrow’s event, including NYS Assembly members Catalina Cruz and Jessica González-Rojas, Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry, Local 10 Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (1010 LECET) and MetroPlus Health.
The next distribution will take place on Friday, Aug. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Phil Rizzuto Park, located at the intersection of 95th Avenue and 126th Street in South Richmond Hill. Partners include Community Board 9, Resorts World New York City and MetroPlus Health.
The series will resume on Friday, Aug. 21, from noon 4 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church of Jackson Heights, located at 81-10 35th Ave., in partnership with 82nd Street Academics and New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE).
The following distribution on Saturday, Aug. 22, from noon to 2 p.m., at York College’s Health and Physical Education Building at 160-02 Liberty Ave. in Jamaica, is geared toward young basketball players in Queens.
In addition to the backpack giveaway, Richards and representatives from the reigning NBA Champion New York Knicks will host a basketball clinic for kids ages 6-14. Children looking to participate will have to sign a waiver on-site in order to do so. Partnering organizations include Madison Square Garden and the Garden of Dreams Foundation.
On Monday, Aug. 24, Richards’ backpack distribution series will come to Woodside from 1 to 4 p.m. at the NYCHA Woodside Houses at Broadway and 51st Street, in partnership with Ponce Bank.
Five days later on Saturday, Aug. 29, the giveaway will come to the families of NYCHA Pomonok Houses in Flushing, who will receive backpacks in partnership with Forest Hills Stadium. The distribution will be on Jewel Avenue between Kissena Boulevard and Parsons Boulevard from noon to 3 p.m.
Richards’ office said the “penultimate” giveaway will take place on Monday, Aug. 31, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the NYCHA Hammel Houses, located at the intersection of Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach 81st Street in Arverne.
One Friday, Sept. 11 — one day after the start of the new school year — Richards will host his final backpack distribution from 3 to 5 p.m. at MS 358, located at 88-08 164th St. in Jamaica.