Short on pens, paper, Philadelphia collecting donations for school supplies

Philadelphia’s cash-starved schools have little money for paper, pens and other supplies.

The mayor has set up a new fund that will help make sure students in public, private, parochial and charter schools have what they need to learn.   

Mayor Michael Nutter says if everyone in Philadelphia just kicks in a few dollars the goal of raising a half million dollars would be in reach.

“We know that during the course of the school year there are many activities that teachers and students come up with and we want to make sure that not only at the beginning of the school year that things are available, but later on during October and March and April and on through the rest of the school year that there is funding available to purchase needed materials,” he said.

Jackie Coccia, superintendent of Catholic elementary schools in Philadelphia calls the project a great idea.

“This fund will mean so much not only to our parents and our students but to our principals and teachers,” said Coccia. “Speaking not only as a superintendent but as a mother and a former third grade teacher I know how much everyone has to contribute to get the school year off to a good start and this will be much appreciated by everyone.”

The fund will be administered by the United Way.