Banks, Realtors To Help Collect School Supplies

Real estate and banking have stepped up as key players in rescuing needy families from the annual back-to-school shopping dilemma.

Both Locations Foundation and Central Pacific Bank are actively collecting the little tools of learning in their own style this month.

* Locations – From July 1 to 13, the Locations Foundation “Backpack to School” project accepts donated items from Central Oahu residents at the Mililani office of Prudential Locations, 95-720 Lanikuhana Ave. #120. Employees then will stuff new backpacks with the supplies and deliver them to several shelters on the island.

“A brand-new backpack filled with things like pens and paper seems like a small gesture,” pointed out Women in Need shelter executive director Mary Scott Lau, “but in reality, it can make a tremendous difference in helping these kids get on a path to a brighter future.”

* Central Pacific Bank – Throughout July, all 34 statewide branches of CPB will accept supplies and monetary donations, working with Ready to Learn and Helping Hands Hawaii. A monetary gift of $10 will buy a backpack filled with all required supplies. Helping Hands Hawaii president Jan Harada called the annual drive “a breath of fresh air (from) a company committed to improving the lives of keiki.”

Supplies on the DOE list for students range from folder paper, erasers, No. 2 pencils, glue and rulers to portfolios, calculators, crayons and scissors.

July 30 is the first day of classes for Hawaii public school students.