Cradles to Crayons is preparing to hand out more than 250,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students in Massachusetts, Illinois, Delaware and Pennsylvania.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The non-profit\u2019s \u201cReady for Learning\u201d initiative is the largest free backpack distribution program in the region and is \u201cdesigned to break down hidden barriers to education and empower children to feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The brand-new backpacks will come equipped with new folders, notebooks, pencils, crayons, and other supplies and will be offered to families across Massachusetts, Chicago area, Wilmington, Delaware, and Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe lack of school essentials and affordable adequate, appropriate clothing (also known as the hidden crisis, Clothing Insecurity) is a barrier to academic success and impacts their ability to focus or even attend school. C2C is the only large scale non-profit organization dedicated to addressing Clothing Insecurity. This year, C2C will distribute one million packages of clothing, shoes, diapers, and essentials, to families and children across its network,\u201d the organization announced in a press release.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe costs of getting students ready for new school year are higher than ever: families <\/span>with school-aged children spent an average of $890.07 on back-to-school items in 2023, for a total<\/span><\/p>\n spend of more than $41 billion across the U.S. \u2013 both record highs,\u201d the announcement continued. \u201cC2C\u2019s Ready for Learning initiative bridges the financial barrier for families who are already working hard to afford the rising cost of living.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Three \u201cBackpack-A-Thon\u201d events have already taken place in which thousands of volunteers pack the backpacks. The events were held on July 31 in Chicago, Illinois, August 1 in Boston, Massachusetts, and August 2 in Wilmington, Delaware. One more event is scheduled to take place on August 22 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at Lincoln Financial Field.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to the thousands of corporate and individual volunteers, C2C also has the support of notable celebrities, including Chicago Fire<\/em> star Daniel Kyri<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cY\u2019all are the reason the Cradles to Crayons can continue its mission to aid children in the Chicagoland area and to provide them with the supplies they need to continue to learn and grow,\u201d Daniel said in a video addressing the volunteers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cortez Smith<\/strong>, star of Showtime\u2019s The Chi<\/em>, added, \u201cFor the 9th year in a row, this high-energy event is bringing together more than 700 volunteers to fill over 30,000 backpacks, raising support for kids in the low-income area and the homeless families\u2026 Thank you to everyone involved for making a real difference in the lives of these kids.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons, Lynn Margherio<\/strong>, \u201cWhen children have essential school supplies and basic necessities like clothing and shoes, they can go back to school with self-confidence, excitement, and dignity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf kids\u2019 basic needs aren\u2019t met, the long-term effects can be devastating,\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cradles to Crayons \u2013 which was founded in 2002 and has since supplied nearly 6 million packages of essentials like clothing, shoes, diapers, and school supplies to children who don\u2019t have access to these critical resources \u2013 believes \u201cchildren deserve the clothing essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThree of the top 10 reasons children do not attend school are due to Clothing Insecurity and lack of school supplies. We are dedicated to ensuring students return to the classroom equipped and ready to thrive. We\u2019re grateful to our corporate sponsors, Service Partners, and supporters who help us support kids during these critical developmental years,\u201d Margherio continued.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Cradles](\"https:\/\/www.lifeandstylemag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cradles-to-crayons3.jpg?fit=400%2C300&quality=86&strip=all\")
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