Local activist wants to give school supplies to kids in need

The grassroots organization Project Hope New York is on a mission to raise funds to purchase and fill 100 backpacks to distribute to kids in need attending elementary school in Bay Ridge.

This is the first time Project Hope NY has a backpack and school supplies drive, said Robert Rising, founder of Project Hope New York, who explained that recipients of the back-to-school supplies will be decided by teachers, “As they know better when students need help.

“I’ve always been the type of person who finds joy in giving to others,” said Rising, who is a Bay Ridgeite. “I am doing the backpack/supplies drive because there are too many children that don’t have the right tools needed to thrive and soar in the classroom due to their parents not having the means.”

Previously holding a Christmas toy drive, and a drive to fill Easter baskets for the poor and more, the year-old project aims to provide assistance to those in the community facing life’s trials and tribulations.

For this cause, the project’s goal is to raise $2,000. Monetary donations can be made at the following link: www.gofundme.com/blz41k. Donated items, listed in the link, can be dropped off with Christine Freglette, owner of The Bookmark Shoppe at 8415 Third Avenue.