Three Weeks School Supply & Gift Card Drive through JFCS East Bay
July 17 – August 7
CBI is collecting school supplies for refugee families being resettled by JFCS East Bay, as well as collecting funds for Target gift cards so individuals and families can purchase items they need to start their lives here. Our goal is 40 backpacks with school supplies!
JFCS East Bay is heartened by our community’s strong interest in welcoming and supporting newly arriving refugees. JFCS East Bay is currently resettling record numbers of newcomers from Afghanistan and Ukraine and other individuals and families from Iraq, Syria, Eritrea, Uganda, Myanmar and more. While the agency provides a full range of comprehensive services to each individual and family they resettle, we know from experience that “it takes a village” to help people begin their new lives here.
Ways to help:
1. School Supplies Drive:
*Donate School Supplies: Drop off newly purchased school supplies at Congregation Beth Israel, 1630 Bancroft Way (bin on the Jefferson side door), from Sunday July 17 – Sunday, August 7:
- new backpacks
- lunch boxes
- Pencils
- Pens
- binders
- lined paper
- notebooks
- markers
- colored pencils
- scissors
- tape
- glue sticks.
*Donate towards purchase of new school supplies. Additional funds will be used for gift cards for refugee families to purchase needed basic items. Please donate to general fund here and indicate “Refugee Drive”
*Backpack Packing & Welcome Note Writing: Tisha b’Av, August 7, from 4-5:30PM at CBI
Other ways to help:
2. Target Gift Cards: Purchase $25 Gift Card(s) from Target You can donate funds to CBI to purchase much-needed gift cards for these families (https://www.cbiberkeley.org/connect/giving/). CBI will pool funds collected and purchase gift cards through SCRIP, magnifying the impact of each donation. Alternatively, you can drop off gift cards through the mail slot at 2334 Curtis St, Apt 4, or bring them to the packing event on August 7 at 4PM.
3. Amazon Wish list: Purchase needed items through JFCS East Bay Amazon Wish Lists.
Wish List for larger items like gift cards and kitchen items:
https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1CW3QPCLGZMBC/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_3
We also have a wish list for smaller things like toiletries and cleaning supplies:
https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/S0UUVLH507P3/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2
Items purchased through the wish list will be sent directly to the JFCS office and be distributed to those who need them most. After you place your order, please send an email to adodson@jfcs-eastbay.org and mention CBI Drive, so they can send you a donation receipt.