Pier Park to hold back-to-school supply drive for Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay County
PANAMA CITY BEACH − A local shopping center is partnering with a nonprofit organization to help gather school supplies for children.
According to a news release from Pier Park, the center will hold its fourth Back to School Supply Drive from July 24 to Aug. 6 to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay County. The nonprofit organization affiliated with Boys and Girls Clubs of America will then distribute the raised supplies to area children ahead of the upcoming school year.
"It's critical for the community to come together and recognize there are families trying to make ends meet that need some additional support," said Hank Hill, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay County. "When school starts back, there's a list that schools have, and (parents) have to go out and spend $75 or $100 on school supplies.
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"That really makes it difficult for (some families) to make ends meet."
Hill said the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay County has four locations. They are at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, Lucille Moore Elementary School in Panama City, Margaret K. Lewis School in Millville and another near Tyndall Air Force Base at Tyndall Academy.
The clubs provide after-school, summer and out-of-school programs for those between six and 18 years old. Hill said the clubs each day serve about about 300 children, many of whom are from lower income families.
More than 85% of children who participate in the local Boys and Girls Clubs qualify for free or reduced lunches, and about 70% live in single-family households.
The release says the supply drive will pair with Florida's back-to-school sales tax holiday. Supplies can be dropped off to Pier Park's mall management office, Forever 21, Dillard's, Pink Narcissus and Tervis, along with the Boys and Girls Clubs' Frank Brown Park location.
Those who donate are able to enter a drawing for $1,000 in prizes that will occur at the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce on July 20.
Mall management office hours are weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pier Park itself is open Mondays through Thursday's from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
"We have done this for several years, and people are so appreciative when they come through and their kids are able to get (supplies)," Hill said. "It's kind of like giving them a shopping spree, and they very much need the help.
"It is a worth-while project."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Pier Park helping Boys and Girls Clubs raise school supplies
