News Summary
In Augusta, the Salvation Army has initiated a back-to-school supply drive to support the rising number of homeless children in the community. With 395 homeless children now identified, the organization aims to provide essential school supplies to improve educational access. The campaign, active throughout July, encourages community participation through donations and an online wishlist for supplies. This initiative highlights the urgency of ensuring that children facing homelessness have the necessary tools for a successful school year.
Augusta – As families in Augusta begin their back-to-school shopping, the Salvation Army of Augusta has launched a drive aimed at supporting homeless children who require essential school supplies. This initiative comes in response to the alarming rise in child homelessness within the community, a situation exacerbated by various socio-economic factors including natural disasters.
Recent data from last year’s Richmond County homeless count indicated that there were fewer than 100 homeless children under the age of 18. However, this year’s report has revealed a dramatic increase, with numbers soaring to 395 homeless children. Contributing factors include the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has intensified the struggles faced by families in crisis.
In response to this growing issue, the Salvation Army’s family shelter has been operating at full capacity, currently housing an average of 14 children at any given time. This increase highlights the urgent need for assistance, as the organization works tirelessly to provide support to families facing hardships.
In addition to the rising numbers of homeless children, the situation has been compounded by educational funding challenges. Over $200 million in education grants are currently withheld from Georgia, leaving many local families in need of school supplies. With the new school year approaching, Janelys Villalta, the marketing and public relations manager for the Salvation Army of Augusta, has stressed the importance of ensuring that children have the necessary supplies to avoid barriers to their education.
The back-to-school supply drive is active throughout the month of July, with the goal of providing children in need with backpacks and essential school supplies. Community members are encouraged to participate by donating items at various drop-off locations, including a partnership with Farmhaus Burgers. Other participating sites include Salvation Army thrift stores, donation centers, and the Kroc Center.
To further enhance the outreach of this drive, an online wishlist has been created on Amazon, allowing community members to conveniently shop for and send supplies directly to the shelter. This initiative aims to reduce the stress that families experience as they prepare their children for the upcoming school year, addressing a critical need within the community.
Moreover, the Salvation Army encourages year-round donations to ensure continuous support for children entering the shelter, highlighting that access to school supplies should not be a hurdle for any child facing homelessness. Community participation is vital, with an emphasis on inviting shoppers to consider purchasing additional supplies to donate.
The Salvation Army remains committed to its mission of providing support to those experiencing hardship, impacting nearly 24 million Americans annually. The focus of this back-to-school supply drive is on equipping local homeless students with the resources they need to start their school year with confidence and dignity.
As the community rallies around this important cause, the hope is that every child in Augusta will have the tools necessary for a successful return to school.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Salvation Army Helping Homeless Kids Prepare for School Year
- WRDW: Salvation Army Helps Prep Homeless Kids for New School Year
- Augusta Press: Salvation Army and Farmhaus Burger Collaborate
- WJBF: Neighbors Express Concerns About New Homeless Shelter
- WHSV: Central Shenandoah Valley United Way Kicks Off Donation Drives
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- Google Search: Homeless Children Education
- Google Scholar: Homelessness and Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- Google News: Back to School Supplies for Homeless Children
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
