PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2018

Contact: Deborah Chambers
Senior Director of Strategic
Partnerships and Community Outreach

Cell: 202-534-9965
dchambers@missiondc.org

Promoting Academic Equality
for City Students Through Generosity   

Washington, DC—August 17, 2018—Central Union Mission will help children start off the school year on the right foot on with new backpacks filled with age-appropriate supplies for 500 children. Mission Backpack takes place Friday, August 17, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Central Union Mission’s Family Ministry Center (3194-B Bladensburg Rd., NE, Washington, DC 20018.)

According to Mission Executive Director Joe Mettimano, “It’s been proven that children without school supplies have an educational disadvantage they can’t overcome. The under- and unemployed parents we serve are struggling just to feed their families. That’s why Mission Backpack is such a boost for students experiencing poverty in our city.”

Brand new backpacks stuffed with supplies help level the playing field for children, equipping them to learn from the very first day of school. Mettimano adds, “All the backpacks are provided by private donors who want to help DC’s students succeed.”

A Deloitte survey reveals that the national average total back-to-school spending per family is $510 during this busy shopping season–second only to Christmas. Of that amount, parents expect to spend $112 for school supplies, facial tissues, plastic bags and other necessities not provided by the school. Sadly, school supply expenses are constant regardless of your family’s income.

Media are invited to Mission Backpack. To attend, please contact Deborah Chambers, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community Outreach, at 202-534-9965 or dchambers@missiondc.org.

About Central Union Mission:

Central Union Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with its homeless shelter located at 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC  20001. In addition to its emergency shelter program, the Mission operates rehabilitative and job training programs for men, a clothing and furniture distribution center, a retreat and recreation center with a camp for underprivileged children and a ministry to families and senior citizens.

GuideStar awarded Central Union Mission a 2018 Gold Seal for our financial transparency and GreatNonProfits has given Central Union Mission a 2018 Top-Rated award.

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