Fifth Third Bank and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Partner to Collect School Supplies for Children in Need July 16, 2012

Fifth Third Bank (South Florida) has partnered with The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools 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 Lee 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 Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, a growing number of schools are facing supply shortages caused by budget and funding cuts. The organization also reported that more than 70 percent of the approximately 80,000 students in the school district receive free or reduced lunch.

“Children living in poverty face so many obstacles every day, and getting supplies for school shouldn’t be one of them,” said Marshall Bower, president and CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “Providing them with these supplies takes a burden off of them and their families.”

The most urgently needed items include: composition books, 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 Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, visit www.leeschoolfoundation.org.