Grandparents as Parents Program Seeking School Supply Donations
A program that supports grandparents and other relative caregivers who are parenting for a second time is turning to the community for help. The CAC Office on Aging’s Grandparents as Parents (GAP) program serves more than 600 grandfamilies in Knox and surrounding counties.
Each summer, the staff at GAP jumps into action to anticipate the needs of families with children who will go back to school in the fall. They will need school supplies, and the cost adds up quickly. “If we can ease the grandparents’ financial situation by providing a backpack filled with school supplies, or connecting them with other resources,” Tracy Van De Vate, GAP program manager said, “we are happy to do it because we understand how much it means to the grandfamilies and how important it is for the children to have what they need to go back to school.”
GAP is partnering with all Knox County Senior Centers to collect school supplies throughout the month of July. Just visit any Senior Center to drop off donations.
School Supplies Needed
crayons
red/green pens
composition notebooks
headphones
dry erase markers
plastic folders
colored pencils
pencils
3-ring binders*
earbuds
highlighters
glue sticks
pencil boxes
pencil pouch
ziploc bags
tissue boxes
backpacks with computer compartments*
*most-needed items
SENIOR CENTER LOCATIONS:
O’Connor Senior Center – 611 Winona St.
Carter Senior Center – 9040 Asheville Hwy.
Corryton Senior Center – 9331 Davis Dr.
Halls Senior Center – 4405 Crippen Rd.
Karns Senior Center – 80042 Oak Ridge Hwy.
South Knoxville Senior Center – 6729 Martel Ln.
West Knox Senior Center – 239 Jamestown Blvd. Ste.101
More information is available at knoxseniors.org/schoolsupplies.
