Together We Cope in ‘Back to School’ mode

For Lisa, a south suburban single mother, getting her eight children prepared for the new school year is no easy feat. The staggering price of school supplies means she needs nearly $400 for backpacks and supplies alone for her children in grades 4 through 12. 

She is not alone: Many south suburban families are finding it more and more
difficult to foot the bill for their children’s return to the classroom. For families in financial crisis, this is nearly impossible.

But Together We Cope can help. Last year, the nonprofit agency equipped 1,200 area students with new backpacks and school supplies. This year, TWC plans to reach nearly 1,500 students with its Back to School drive.

Thanks to this drive, Lisa’s children will receive backpacks filled with grade-appropriate supplies. With the help of community donors, the agency has provided backpacks and school supplies for children who need assistance for the past 12 years.  

According to TWC special events coordinator Tina Kessens, this year marks the highest number of children participating in the Back to School drive. “We will not be able to help all of these children without assistance from the greater south
suburban community,” said Kessens. 

In order to assist them, TWC seeks school supply donations. “Any donation, large or small, will help,” said Kessens. Needed supplies include: backpacks, spiral notebooks, loose leaf paper, two-pocket folders, pens, pencils, crayons, watercolor paints, colored pencils, washable markers, glue sticks, scissors, rulers, soft erasers, one-gallon plastic bags, re-sealable sandwich bags, paper towels and tissue. 

Donors can bring supplies to Together We Cope, 17010 South Oak Park Avenue in downtown Tinley Park. Donations also can be brought to 30 south suburban locations with a school bus collection box. A full list of these drop-off sites is at
www.togetherwecope.org. Further information is at (708) 633-5040 or tkessens@togetherwecope.org.