65 families get school supplies through ‘Community Giveback’ event in Germantown

Book bags loaded with crayons, notebooks, pencil cases and other school supplies were given to 65 families as part of state Rep. Rosita Youngblood’s annual “Back to School Community Giveback” on Saturday.

Meant for kindergarteners through eighth graders who live in the 198th legislative district, some supplies were donated, but Youngblood admitted that, in recent years, she has seen fewer donations.

“We’re trying to fill a need, but we can only do so much,” said Youngblood, who paid for some of the supplies out-of-pocket.

“A book bag and supplies may actually be considered luxuries in many households, so I am proud to help organize an effort to ensure that more children get these basic building blocks,” she continued. “We do it because the need is there.”

The scene

At the event, a DJ played music for local community groups like the “Fighting Tigers” cheer squad from Happy Hollow Recreation Center to enjoy.

SEPTA also had a Hybrid-Electric bus model for kids to explore. Romell Calloway and Marcus McKnight of SEPTA’s Youth Advisory Council, an outreach group for riders between the ages of 14 and 22, explained exhaust-emissions reductions and the like.