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Prelate seeks support for school supplies donation drive

By Ferdinand Patinio

July 12, 2022, 5:48 pm

<p>San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza<em> (File photo courtesy of CBCP)</em></p>

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza (File photo courtesy of CBCP)

MANILA – A Catholic prelate on Tuesday asked the faithful to support their campaign of providing school supplies to some 300 children in the cities of Manila and Caloocan as classes are set to start next month.

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, chairperson of the Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS), said it has been their tradition to provide school supplies to children of workers, vendors, drivers of workers, and community associations they have partnered with.

“In this light, CWS plans to distribute school supplies (notebooks, pencils, ball pens etc.) worth PHP500 to each child. Hopefully, uniforms, shoes, school bags will also be included depending on the generosity and compassion of our networks,” he said in a statement.

He added that the target beneficiaries of the program are some 300 children from Grades 1 to 6 in communities under San Pancracio Parish of La Loma, Caloocan City, and the Parish of the Risen Christ in Smokey Mountain, Balut, Tondo in Manila.

He said they are also planning to extend the program among the children of farmers and farm workers in the Diocese of San Carlos and Diocese of Bacolod in coordination with CWS Negros.

The group is looking to distribute the school supplies in the second week of August.

“In this connection, we are again appealing and knocking in your hearts to share with us your blessings in cash or in-kind for these children. Your acts of charity and compassion will greatly help these school children pursue their dreams of a better future,” Alminaza added.

Cash donations may be sent to the BPI Savings Bank Kamuning branch under account name Churchpeople-Workers Solidarity, Inc. and account # 3143-4239-39.

Donors have been asked to advise CWS that they have deposited their donations to be acknowledged for their support.

For donations in kind such as notebooks, pencils, crayons, school bags, and other school supplies, the public can indicate the address where the items may be picked up or they can bring these to Bukal Center, ICM District House, 61, Banawe Street, 1114 Quezon City.

For more information, please contact the CWS Secretariat through email [email protected].

“Students who are eager to pursue their studies in the midst of a severe economic crisis highly appreciate programs such as this. With these programs, parents are hopeful that at least they could still continue to send their children to school despite the economic hardships,” Alminaza said. (PNA)

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