By: The City of Charleston
In preparation for the Annual First Day Festival, the city of Charleston is coordinating a school supply drive to ensure that local students have the materials they need to begin the new school year. Donations will be accepted through Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021 and pre-packed bags of school supplies will be distributed to students at the Festival on Sunday, August 8th from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Charleston Gaillard Center and South Carolina Aquarium.
School supplies can be dropped off at the following locations:
The most requested supplies include pens and pencils, erasers, wide-ruled filler paper, wide-ruled composition books, two pocket folders, crayons, markers, colored pencils, index cards, tissues, hand sanitizer, glue/glue sticks and scissors.
About the First Day Festival
The First Day Festival is a celebration of education that brings students and families together with educators and community providers to share information about available resources and support services, to provide children with free school supplies and to enjoy a fun day together prior to the start of the new school year.
In addition to the school supply distribution, the Festival will feature various exhibits providing information on student support services and community resources, entertainment and activities in the city of Charleston Recreation Department's Kids Zone, free admission to the South Carolina Aquarium during Festival hours (limited capacity), a free food distribution with the Lowcountry Food Bank and more.
For more information about the school supply drive, the First Day Festival or how to volunteer, contact Mindy Sturm at sturmm@charleston-sc.gov.