Back to School

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Sarah Murphy, Director of Development for the Coalition for the Homeless, posed with the backpacks and other school supplies that were dropped off at Borough Hall in August by contributors donating to “Project: Back to School,” an annual initiative organized by the Coalition for the Homeless. For the third summer in a row, Borough President Katz’ office collected donated backpacks and other school supplies in a drop-box placed in the lobby of Queens Borough Hall. The donated items will be provided to some of the children who reside in City homeless shelters and will help these kids get the school year off to a good start. According to the Department of Education, 83,000 schoolchildren were homeless at some point in the last school year and about 23,000 kids reside in City shelters on an average night. Katz thanked all those who donated for their outstanding generosity.