KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI) — A community-wide school supply drive is underway across Knox County to support children being raised by grandparents and other relative caregivers.
The Grandparents as Parents program is accepting donations through July 31 at senior centers across the county. Organizers are seeking a variety of school supplies to help students begin the upcoming school year with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.
Requested items include:
- Crayons
- Red and green pens
- Composition notebooks
- Headphones
- Colored pencils
- Pencils
- Three-ring binders
- Earbuds
- Plastic folders
- Glue sticks
- Pencil boxes
- Ziploc bags
- Tissue boxes
- Backpacks with computer compartments
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
- O’Connor Senior Center — 611 Winona Street
- Carter Senior Center — 9040 Asheville Highway
- Corryton Senior Center — 9331 Davis Road
- Halls Senior Center — 4405 Crippen Road
- Karns Senior Center — 8042 Oak Ridge Highway
- South Knoxville Senior Center — 6729 Martel Lane
- West Knox Senior Center — 239 Jamestowne Boulevard, Suite 101
The Grandparents as Parents program is operated by the CAC Office on Aging and serves grandparents and relatives who have taken on the responsibility of raising children. The program is designed to provide support, resources and a sense of community for caregivers facing the challenges of raising a second generation.
Services offered through the program include:
- Educational support meetings
- Monthly newsletters
- Community outreach
- Case management
- Information and referrals
- An annual conference for caregivers
Program leaders say the school supply drive helps ease the financial burden many caregiver families face as the school year approaches while ensuring children have access to essential classroom materials.
For more information about the drive or the Grandparents as Parents program, call 865-524-2786.
