Jonnycake Center of Westerly Supplies School Necessities to Underserved Families

It’s back to school season and every child deserves to be prepared. This summer, Washington County area nonprofits are partnering to provide Rhode Island students with school essentials and prepare them for academic success. 

The second annual School Supply Giveaway Party will be held at the Jonnycake Center of Westerly on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. To kick-off the academic year, the event will feature music provided by WBLQ AM 1230, games, face painting, crafts and a visit by a Westerly Fire Department firetruck. Families that attend will receive a free backpack filled with school essentials on a first-come, first-serve basis. The celebration will take place in the Jonnycake Center of Westerly’s rear parking lot at 23 Industrial Dr. 

The community has come together to aid Rhode Island families in readying their kids for school this year. The Jonnycake Center of Westerly, Wood River Health, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island and The Washington Trust Company are set to sponsor and participate in the event with the goal of providing young Rhode Island students with equal opportunity to be successful. 

Allison Croke, President and CEO of Wood River Health shared, “Our vision is for every member of our community to experience physical, emotional and social well-being,” and this includes students, too.

Wood River Health is a private, non-profit Community Health Center dedicated to providing medical, dental and social services to southwestern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Its mission is to provide high-quality and affordable health care services with the help of a compassionate team. Serving over eight-thousand patients in communities across Rhode Island, Wood River Health continues to aid underserved families by helping future students.

The Jonnycake Center of Westerly is partnering with Wood River Health and others in hopes of continuing its mission to provide services to communities through crisis situations and help individuals reach self-sufficiency. This time, their partnership will aid students improve their futures by simply preparing them to be successful students. Jonnycake of Westerly Executive Director explains, “the school supply giveaway party provides a great opportunity for families to save on the items required to ensure the year starts wonderfully.” And to young students, a terrific beginning to the school year can mean all the difference. 

“This is why we partner with the Jonnycake Center every year for this critical initiative,” Croke says. “Every child should have access to the tools and resources they require to thrive in school.” 

Thanks to the initiative of Rhode Island nonprofits, an entire community of students will begin school with their pencils and minds sharp. Adorning a shiny new backpack filled with what they need to be successful, another generation of students are set to have a great academic year. Visit The Jonnycake Center of Westerly on Aug. 19 to pick up your school essentials, say farewell to summer and welcome the school year worry-free.