We would like to thank everyone who donated to this year’s annual Back to School Program! Each year we experience a very generous outpouring of support from Guilford businesses, civic, and community organizations and individual families. This support has allowed us to expand the program in content and generosity over the years.

Over the last 18 years, the Back to School program has become essential in providing school-age children from Guilford’s lower income and struggling families, with school supplies, back packs, lunch boxes, and new shoes. This season, due to the generosity of so many, we have been able to add graphing calculators to students whose classes require them.

Imagine—in 1998, we started out offering a single backpack each to 30 students. Our very generous and caring community has made it possible for the Guilford Social Services Department to annually offer more than 100 students from less fortunate families a varied and generous amount of school supplies and more important the ability to start the new school year on equal footing with their peers. This program not only empowers, but strengthens the positive values of Guilford youth in our community.

On behalf of the families and their students, we thank these donors.

Tammy DeFrancesco

Michele Allen

Danielle Scheltens

Guilford Social Services Staff