WEST PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO. (WOLF) — Luca Pizza in West Pittston is helping local families prepare for the upcoming school year with a back-to-school backpack giveaway and donation drive benefiting Pittston Area and Wyoming Area students.
The giveaway is geared toward students from kindergarten through seventh grade. Community members can contribute backpacks, school supplies, monetary donations or other school essentials.
Owner Angelo Recchia said the idea was inspired by friends in the Lehigh Valley who started a similar effort.
“A few of my friends from the Lehigh Valley were starting something like this, and I just feel like it was something cool to do up here to give back to the local community,” Recchia said.
Luca Pizza has a collection basket available for supply drop-offs. Those who make monetary donations can also leave their name and receive recognition after the drive ends.
“We have a basket that we’re taking drop offs. If anybody wants to contribute monetarily, they can drop it off to us. We’ll put your name on it whenever the backpack drive is over, and we’ll give you a shout out. But anybody can contribute, I mean, anything,” said Recchia.
Recchia said his own childhood experiences also motivated him to give back. He remembers being fortunate enough to always have the school supplies he needed and hopes the giveaway will help ease some of the financial pressure families face when preparing for a new school year.
“I was so blessed growing up. I never had to go without any of these things. It’s a way to give back to the local community. This makes me feel good when I do stuff like this,” Recchia said.
Luca Pizza hopes to collect enough supplies to provide 50 backpacks to local students.
Donations will be accepted through Saturday, August 22.