Apple Credit Union, FACETS Prep Students for New School Year

Businesses and nonprofits in Fairfax are working to get less fortunate students ready for the new school year with supply drives.

Fairfax County student enrollment totaled more than 175,000 during the last school year, the largest student enrollment in Virginia, according to Fairfax County Public Schools. More than 39,000 of these students qualified for free or reduced meals.

“You can’t drive through the neighborhoods and see the poverty because in our area, the needy aren’t living in run-down homes or apartments," said Sofia Echaide, a counselor at Franconia Elementary School. "Instead they are living next door to a townhouse or big house where homeowners have a dual income of six figures, but they are renting a single bedroom or basement for their families.”

Here's how you can help out:

Apple Federal Credit Union’s “Stuff the Bus”

• Drop off new school supplies and backpacks at Apple branches located throughout Fairfax and Loudoun counties by Aug. 9, and Prince William and Stafford counties by Aug. 20.
• Click here for drop-off locations in each county and the specific donations needed.

FACETS' Annual Back-to-School Drive

• FACETS is collecting school supplies and backpacks for more than 300 children of various ages who are in need in Fairfax County. 
• A list of items that are needed can be found here. Supplies can be dropped off at FACETS’ office at 10640 Page Ave., Suite 300, Fairfax, now through Aug. 12, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Individuals or organizations may choose instead to make a tax-deductible donation to FACETS. A financial donation can be made online (indicate “Back to School Drive” in the Special Instructions field) from the FACETS website or by sending a check (note “Back to School Drive” on the memo line) to FACETS.
• To organize a collection at your workplace, in your faith community, or with another organization, please contact Stacy Boden at 703-352-3268 or sboden@FacetsCares.org.

Our Daily Bread

• Our Daily Bread and Kids R First provides a full arsenal of supplies for less than $15 per student. They hope to raise enough money to stock up 350 needy students in the Fairfax High School pyramid.
• Make a monetary donation at www.ODBFairfax.org or by mailing a check (4080 Chain Bridge Rd).
• Our Daily Bread is accepting teen-sized backpacks and scientific calculators:
• Order them through Our Daily Bread's Amazon.com Wish List: http://amzn.com/w/30A5MCLIRONCH.
• Deliver them through Aug. 12 to Our Daily Bread's NEW office, located in the Massey Building Annex at 4080 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Drop them off from July 1 through Aug. 12 at any of the following local businesses during normal business hours: Bertucci’s Restaurants (Alexandria, Herndon, Springfield, and Tysons Corner locations only), Merrifield Garden Center (Fair Oaks location only – 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030. Leave at register), Virginia Heritage Bank (Fairfax Branch only – 11166 Fairfax Blvd. Fairfax, VA 22030).
• for more information.