FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2011

St. Patrick Center collects and distributes 2,583 backpacks full of school supplies

Thanks to the generosity of local parishes, individuals and businesses, St. Patrick Center this month collected and distributed nearly 2,600 donated backpacks full of school supplies during its Backpack Giveaway program. Parishioners at 33 Catholic parishes donated backpacks with supplies, as well as employees at 7 area businesses.

“St. Patrick Center recognizes the increasing need for the Backpack Giveaway program and we are incredibly grateful to all of our generous donors who participate every year,” says Tom Etling, St. Patrick Center CEO. “In fact, in our last fiscal year, we provided services to more than 5,000 school-age children in households struggling with homelessness or poverty and the number continues to grow.”

At the start of 2011, the United States Census Bureau reported that since the onset of the financial crisis in the fall of 2008, the number of school-age children living in poverty increased from 14 million to 16 million. The U.S. government estimates that 25 percent of children in America will soon be living in poverty.

Regionally, the increase was reported as well. According to the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, the number of homeless children enrolled in St. Louis schools totaled 11,977 in the 2007-2008 school year. By the 2009-2010 school year, the number rose to 15,564 children.

St. Patrick Center’s Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway is spearheaded by the agency’s Fred Saigh K.I.C.K. program. Each summer, “Kids Interested in Caring about Kids” enlists the St. Louis community to help homeless and poor children prepare for the coming school year.

Due to the large donation, backpacks collected for the giveaway were distributed not only to St. Patrick Center clients for their school-age children, but also to several other local organizations with clients and children in need:

• Cardinal Ritter Senior Services (Grandparents Acting as Parents program)
• Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center
• Central Catholic/St. Nicholas School & Academy
• Compassionate Ministry Fellowship
• Epworth Children & Family Services
• Everlasting Light Church
• Higher Heights Ministry
• House of Montessori Education
• Most Holy Trinity School
• St. Louis City Public Schools

MISSION: 
St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals achieve permanent, positive changes in their lives through affordable housing, sound mental health, employment and financial stability.

FOR MORE INFO:
Kelly Peach
Senior Director of Communications
St. Patrick Center
Direct Line 314.802.0687
Cell 314.581.7126
kpeach@stpatrickcenter.org

Stephanie Perry
Writer/Producer
Direct Line 314.802.1968
Cell 314.853.8886
sperry@stpatrickcenter.org

www.stpatrickcenter.org