THE INTL. WELOVEU FOUNDATION EMPOWERS 180 STUDENTS AT THE SOUTH AMBOY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH NEW BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES
South Amboy, NJ—
On September 11, the International WeLoveU Foundation (WeLoveU) hand-delivered backpacks and school supply kits to 180 students at The South Amboy Elementary School in South Amboy, NJ. The donation is part of WeLoveU’s Packs on Backs and Tools for Schools program that will help over 3,785 students in 14 schools nationwide receive new backpacks and school supplies. Donation ceremonies will be held in California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
“What’s happening here is something really great for the students in South Amboy. I really appreciate the WeLoveU organization coming and giving backpacks and all sorts of school supplies….It will impact the community because we know a lot of things are increasing in price and there are a lot of people in need. Parents are having difficulty with the cost of things. We really appreciate the backpacks and school supplies because it is one more step in helping to educate our students,” said Fred Henry, Mayor of South Amboy.
Research shows back-to-school supply spending increased 22% since 2019, and school supply prices have increased between 15-30% since inflation hit a 41-year high. The cost of wood pulp used to make paper has also increased by 50% over the last year. On top of these factors, schools are expanding their school supply lists. Additional items like laptops, headphones, hand sanitizer, tissues, and more are requested. These additional costs impact families’ budgets, and the income gap in under-resourced communities is only increasing.
“The 2023-2024 school year is our second year running Packs on Backs & Tools for Schools donation ceremonies. At these events, you can feel the excitement bubbling inside each student as they receive their new items,” said John Casas, vice president of community engagement. “Nothing feels better than knowing we brought joy for learning. The WeLoveU Foundation is grateful to the volunteers, donors, and supporters who make this program possible.”
The Packs on Backs and Tools for Schools is part of WeLoveU’s Closing the Homework Gap umbrella, launched in 2020. Initially, the program supported students with devices at the start of remote learning and has since branched out to provide new backpacks and school supplies. Providing the items has alleviated the financial burden families in under-resourced communities face during back-to-school shopping. The WeLoveU Foundation’s efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education.
About the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation
The International WeLoveU Foundation is an NGO associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications. Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah founded WeLoveU as a vehicle to promote unity and friendship among all people of the global village — beyond nationality, race, religion, and socioeconomic status — through impactful volunteerism within the initiatives of blood drives, education, emergency relief, environmental protection, international aid, and social welfare. WeLoveU has received more than 100 honorary and presidential awards from various countries and governments including the U.S. President’s Call to Service Award for volunteerism and the Green Apple Award for best environmental practice. Today WeLoveU is in more than 60 countries around the world. For more information, visit weloveuusa.org.
