<\/p>\n
Local volunteers will be collecting donations for this year’s Assess the Need school supply drive the weekends of Aug. 5-6 and Aug. 12-13, Livingston Parish Councilor Jeff Taylor recently announced.<\/p>\n
This year’s effort marks the 23rd consecutive year Taylor has sponsored the parish-wide school supply drive. Assess the Need is a non-profit program that provides supplies to students in Livingston Parish who need help.<\/p>\n
This year’s campaign anticipates meeting the needs of more than 3,000 students in all 43 public schools in the district, including Pre-K and Head Start programs. The material is given to these students at the beginning of the school year.<\/p>\n
The first day of classes in Livingston Parish for the 2023-24 school year is August 11.<\/p>\n
“We know that back to school is an exciting time for many of our students and parents, but it can be a stressful time for those families who don’t have the resources to pay for their children’s school supplies,” Taylor said. “That’s where we can help.”<\/p>\n
Collection efforts will include volunteers outside nine Associated Grocers, Inc. stores. of the parish They are the following:<\/p>\n
– Carter’s Supermarkets in Albany, Springfield, Livingston, Walker, Hatchell Lane in Denham Springs and Vincent Road in Denham Springs<\/p>\n
\u2013 Oak Point Fresh Market in Watson<\/p>\n
\u2013 Village markets in Port Vincent, White Hall and Head of Island.<\/p>\n
Volunteers will collect donations at these locations over two weekends (August 5-6 and August 12-13) each day from 8:30am to 4:30pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year was our first year working with our local Associated Grocers, and that partnership turned out to be a huge success,\u201d said Taylor. “These local businesses clearly want to give back to Livingston Parish, and the people who shop these stores are also very conscious of supporting our local people.”<\/p>\n
Taylor said other local businesses and individuals in the parish have made monetary and in-kind donations to support the campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal every year is to make sure every kid is equipped to learn,\u201d Taylor said. “But just as important, we want our students to know that there are people here for them, who care about them and who want to see them succeed.”<\/p>\n
“We’re asking everyone to help us send that message loud and clear,” he said.<\/p>\n
Taylor is asking parish residents and businesses to consider donating to this year’s Assess the Need campaign. There are four ways to give:<\/p>\n
\u2013Link to Venmo for giving via a mobile device. The link is available in print and web ads in local newspapers, on signs throughout the parish, and on cards from local businesses.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Donations can be dropped off at the Livingston Parish Assessor’s Office, located on Government Boulevard in Livingston; From Monday to Thursday from 7:30 to 17:30<\/p>\n
\u2013 Donations can be made to volunteers who will be accepting donations at nine local AG stores over two weekends: August 5-6 and August 12-13.<\/p>\n
– Donations can be mailed to Assess the Need, PO Box 1802, Denham Springs, LA 70727-1802.<\/p>\n
All donations to Assess the Need are tax deductible and all proceeds go to support the needs of students in Livingston Parish.<\/p>\n
A list of business sponsors for this year’s ASSESS THE NEED campaign includes Guarantee Restoration Services, CST Multifamily Real Estate Services, LLC, Freedom Prosthetics, LLC, Livingston Parish News, The Advocate, Hammond Star, WAFB-TV, Taylor Media Services, Lewis Graphic Design, Carter’s Supermarkets, Oak Point Fresh Market, Oak Point Fresh Market, CO. Advertising, Action 17 News, Elite Chiropractic Sports & Nutrition, LLC, Boyer, Hebert & Angelle LLC, Abundant Life Church, Lard Oil of Denham Springs, Unity Prayer Center, Good Hope, Inc., Audubon Village Investments, LLC, Denham Office Properties, LLC, Big Mike’s Bar & Grill, LA PRO, Bank of Spring Zachary Club of Denham and Kiwan Zacharis Club<\/p>\n