Catholic Charities and Strong Kids Safe Kids Host Back to School Drive with Local Businesses

Back to School Drive 2023 Chemung

Catholic Charities is requesting your help preparing local kids for a successful school year. From now until August 17, area businesses and Catholic Charities will be collecting new school supplies.

The following businesses have partnered with Catholic Charities and Strong Kids Safe Kids to offer drop-off locations in Chemung County:

  • Chapel Park
  • Chemung County Library District (Big Flats, Horseheads, Steele Memorial, West Elmira locations)
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Corning Community College – Elmira Campus
  • Department of Aging
  • Mr. Panosian’s Famous Shoes
  • Parmenter Tire, Auto & Truck Service – Horseheads
  • The Purple Iris Boutique, Horseheads
  • Treu Office Supply & Furniture, Elmira

The following businesses have partnered with Catholic Charities to offer locations in Schuyler County:

  • Chemung Canal Trust Company – Montour Falls & Watkins Glen
  • Famous Brands
  • Parmenter Tire, Auto & Truck Service – Odessa & Montour Falls
  • Quinlan’s Pharmacy, Montour Falls
  • The Hi-Lites
  • Visions Federal Credit Union
  • Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Visitor Center at 214 N. Franklin, Watkins Glen: open every day, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Watkins Glen Public Library

Donations will also be accepted at the Catholic Charities Main Office (215 E Church St, Elmira): Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm and at the Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry (112 10th St, Watkins Glen): Tuesday and Friday, 9 am – 2 pm, Thursday, Noon – 4 pm.

“We are deeply appreciative of the partnership of our local businesses who make the Back to School Drive a success every year,” stated Nancy Koons, Executive Director for Catholic Charities. “It’s truly a community effort to help hundreds of children in Chemung and Schuyler Counties.”

In Schuyler County, the Back-to-School Event will be held at the Schuyler County Highway Department on August 25. This event requires pre-registration by August 23 at noon for backpacks and school supply starter kits. This will be a drive-through event.

In Chemung County, Catholic Charities has partnered with Strong Kids Safe Kids to distribute backpacks and school supply starter kits at the Annual Strong Kids Safe Kids event on August 26 from 11 am – 2 pm at the Chemung County Fairgrounds. No registration is required. New backpacks will be available for students in kindergarten to 6th grade.

Visit this page for a full list of needed items and additional ways to donate, or email Katie Rhodes or call 607-734-9784.