By Carolyn Peplow
As June starts and the students are excited to have summer break, Lehigh Community Services is gearing up to do the annual backpack and school supply events for Lehigh Acres families. Two events are scheduled this year at New Life Assembly and Christ United Methodist Church. The events require pre-registration. Registration will be at Lehigh Community Services, June 28, 29 30, and July 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 from 1 – 4 pm each day. The address is 201 Plaza Dr., Ste. 3. Parents will need the following to register: 1) Photo ID with Lehigh acres address, if the address on current ID is not Lehigh Acres, please bring proof of Lehigh Acres address (example: utility bill). 2) Student name, the grade they will attend for the 2021-2022 school year. 3) Name of School. For more information call (239) 369-5818.
Backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed at the events in addition to other items to help families prepare for the next school year. These events will be scheduled prior to the state Sales Tax Holiday from July 31 – August 9, 2021 allowing families to know beforehand what supplies they may need to purchase that aren’t provided in at the events. Registration is for Kindergarten – 12th grade.
Local businesses can help support the events by donating school supply items, backpacks, event participation/providing a school related service at the event or monetary donations to help with the events. Supply donation ideas include: 1” white binders, packages of notebook paper, black & white composition books, 1 subject solid color spiral notebooks, 24 pack crayons, 12 pack colored pencils, pencil boxes, pink erasers, pencil cap erasers, blunt tip scissors, glue sticks, EXPO fine tip and chisel tip dry erase markers, and yellow highlighters.
The Lehigh Literacy program is currently doing assessments to place new students in the next session beginning in September 2021. The Lehigh Literacy classes are held during the day from September – May each year. If you are interested in more information please contact the office at (239) 369-5818. This is also a great program for volunteers that might be interested in helping others learn to speak, write and understand the English language.
Tax season officially ended on May 17, however Lehigh Community Services is a year around site for the free VITA program (voluntary income tax assistance). By appointment, the IRS certified volunteers help with filing current taxes, past year taxes, assistance with letters received from the IRS and more. For an appointment call (239) 369-5818. The appointments are generally on Thursday evening from 5 – 8 pm.
Lehigh Community Services is planning a new Murder Mystery event later in the summer. Watch for more information on the Facebook page or at: www.lehighcommunityservices.com.
The food pantry at our location is open Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:45 am – 11 am for families in need of food. We graciously accept donation of food during business hours, Monday – Friday; 9 am – 5 pm; we do ask that donors refrain from leaving food outside the building after hours and weekends; animals and spoilage usually result in the food having to be discarded.
LCS is a 501c3 organization, operating in our 44th year. We proudly serve as the United Way House for Lehigh Acres and strive to be the best we can be by honoring our mission: Provide emergency services to residents of the community while promoting self-sufficiency.
