Program to collect school supplies for the needy beginsWith the school year quickly approaching, many parents and kids will soon be flooding the stores in search of school supplies. Some families, however, will not be able to afford these supplies.

County Executive Robert P. Astorino launched Operation Backpack, an initiative to collect school supplies for those families in need. He was  joined by Amanda Grant of White Plains, a Girl Scout from Greenburgh's Troop 1936, who is working on her Silver Star Award for scouting and approached Astorino in a letter about raising supplies.       

 "Amanda's idea was a great one," said Astorino. "She saw a need and came up with a project to meet it. She is living up the highest principle of what Girl Scouting is about."

Amanda said, "I believe education is our future, and achieving this begins with having basic tools such as school supplies. As a Girl Scout, I feel it is my responsibility to help those in need, and that is why I choose to participate in a school supply drive."

The project, to be coordinated by the county's Department of Socials Services, now includes other partners: Westchester Jewish Community Services' Pass It On Kids Kloset, Operation Prom (which collects and distributes used prom dresses) and WFAS radio.

Through this program, school supplies will be collected for children and families that receive services from the Westchester Department of Social Services. Collection bins will be located at the following locations

· County Office Building, 148 Martine Avenue, 1st floor

· 112 East Post Road, White Plains, 5th Floor

· Kids Kloset , 170 East Post Rd, White Plains (914)-831-7616

· Life Cleaners, 300 Nepperhan Ave, Yonkers (914) 968-1525

· Nicholas Day Spa & Salon, 203 Wolfs Lane, Pelham (914) 738-3838

· Lisa Vitiello's State Farm Agency, 282 White Plains Rd, Eastchester (914) 337-4810

Anyone wanting to make a cash or bulk donation should contact Matthew McCarrick, public administration intern with the Department of Social Services, at (914) 995-4979 or e-mail him at . You may also contact Amanda Grant a senior with the Girl Scouts of America at (914) 573-2228 or e-mail her at

Each of the partners has a specific role:

  • The Department of Social Services will coordinate and distribute the school supplies to children and families.
  • Amanda Grant will work on community outreach for donations, and make sure that every back pack has the essentials for a good school year.
  • Noel D'Allacco, founder of Operation Prom, will use that agency's vast contacts in the fashion world and business world to collect donations.
  • Pass It On Kids Kloset, a program of Westchester Jewish Community Services, will reach out to its regular donors of clothes and ask it to consider school supplies for a short period of time.
  • WFAS has used its airwaves to build awareness of the need for school supplies and solicit monetary donations. The station has already received donations from The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, Julia B Fee and Sotheby's International Realty.

"When government teams up with not-for profits here in Westchester great programs are created that help our communities at no cost to the tax payer," Astorino said.