SPUR Kicks Off Annual Backpack Drive

SWAMPSCOTT, MA – Back to school comes with a cost. SPUR, a Marblehead-based nonprofit, is trying to mitigate that cost with its annual backpack drive. Last year, SPUR provided backpacks and supplies for 587 students in Marblehead, Swampscott, Salem, and Lynn.

"The annual backpack drive through SPUR has a significant impact on our students and their families," said Sarah Roy, LICSW at Salem Academy Charter School. "Many parents and caregivers are constantly trying to keep their heads above water when it comes to providing food and shelter for their children. The added expense of school supplies can often feel overwhelming. Having caring and compassionate community members offer a gift like this allows
them to exhale for a moment. They know that their child is starting a new school year with the same supplies that all of their peers and are prepared to focus on academics. We are unbelievably grateful for the donations from SPUR!"

SPUR has 610 students that need sponsors, a number that might increase as the first days of school approach. Sponsors can mail a check made payable to SPUR to P.O. Box 1274, Marblehead, with "backpack drive" in the memo. You can also sponsor students online.

Starting Aug. 1, sponsors can do any of the following:

Purchase a backpack and supplies for a K - 2nd grader ($54.26)
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 3rd - 5th grader ($66.48)
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 6th - 12th grader ($74.08)
Purchase a backpack ($33.82)
Purchase school supplies ($38.46)

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