Fifth Third Bank and Charlotte Local Education Foundation Partner to Collect School Supplies for Children in Need July 16, 2012

Fifth Third Bank (South Florida) has partnered with the Charlotte Local Education Foundation to collect school supplies for the bank’s fourth annual “Back to School” Supply Drive. From July 9 to August 1, donations will be accepted at all Fifth Third financial centers in Charlotte County.

“With this drive, we’re striving to help children and families by providing them with the tools for success,” said David Call, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (South Florida). “We encourage the public to support our children, teachers and schools by donating at any local Fifth Third branch.”

According to the Charlotte Local Education Foundation, a growing number of schools are facing supply shortages caused by budget and funding cuts. The organization also reported that in June 2012, there were 495 homeless students in Charlotte County. And the 2011 U.S. Census Bureau estimated that more than 60 percent of area children live in poverty.

“Our schools lack basic items – such as pencils and paper – and these shortages present serious challenges for teachers,” said Mary Fred Clemmons, executive director of the Charlotte Local Education Foundation, Inc. “This partnership with Fifth Third helps our most at-risk students start the school year on the right foot – with a backpack full of school supplies.”

The most urgently needed items include: glue sticks, crayons, index cards, pens, pencils, pink erasers, paper (both lined and plain printer paper), two-pocket folders, dry erase markers, spiral notebooks, binders and rulers.
To find the nearest Fifth Third Bank branch, visit www.53.com. For more information about the Charlotte Local Education Foundation, visit www.charlotteschoolfoundation.org.