<article class="content"><p>We hosted our third distribution on Saturday, August 22nd focused on getting our families equipped with the tools and resources they need to successfully navigate the school year ahead.</p> <p>Thanks to our generous community of supporters and partners including Global Wordsmiths and East Liberty Presbyterian Church, <strong>we were able to distribute school supplies to over 90 refugee children enrolled in our Smart Start program!</strong></p> <p>Elementary through high school students and their parents attended this event to pick up fully stuffed backpacks, lunch boxes, hand sanitizer, masks, feminine care products, and other essential supplies. In addition to collecting materials, families sat down with Hello Neighbor staff and interpreters to talk about access to technology in the home and figure out which families still need a Google Chromebook in order to support their child’s remote learning experience.</p> <p>We had a representative from Pittsburgh Public Schools present at the event to answer families questions through the help of interpreters, as well as a station for fresh first-day haircuts from our amazing friends at Metamorphosis Salon!</p> <p>Thank you again to our incredible supporters who donated items, funds, and hosted drives, as well as the many volunteers who came out to make this day a success!</p> <p>It is a challenging time for our families navigating back to school in the time of COVID-19, but with your support we are able to give them the resources and confidence they need to feel equipped for the school year ahead.</p></article>