PRESS ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 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   

WHAT:   Through its Mission Backpack, Central Union Mission will help children start off the school year on the right foot. Volunteers will be distributing new backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies provided by the Mission’s generous donors.

WHEN:    Friday, August 17, 2018, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

WHERE: Central Union Mission’s Family Ministry Center (3194-B Bladensburg Rd.,  NE, Washington, DC 20018)

WHY:      A Deloitte survey reveals that the national average per family for total back-to-school spending 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.

That’s why Mission Backpack is such a boost for families 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. With donations from concerned private donors, Central Union Mission expects to distribute approximately 500 bags to children from elementary to high school age at the Mission Backpack Back to School Party on Friday, August 17, 2018, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES 

• Joseph J. Mettimano, executive director, Central Union Mission; Tracy Duncan, director, Family Ministry, Central Union Mission
• Parents and children of needy families receiving backpacks
• Children participating in a fun back-to-school program.

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

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.