Fifth Third Bank and Education Foundation of Palm Beach County Partner to Collect School Supplies for Children in Need July 16, 2012

Fifth Third Bank (South Florida) has partnered with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Inc. 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 Palm Beach 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 Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, 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 1,590 homeless students in Palm Beach County. And the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau estimated that more than 40,000 local children live in poverty.

“Many of our schools lack basic items – such as pencils and paper – and these shortages present serious challenges for teachers,” said Mary Kay Murray, executive director of the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, 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 Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, visit www.educationfoundationpbc.org.