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News Articles

Back to School Supplies for Keiki in Need

August 22, 2022

From the Office for Social Ministry

As Hawaii’s keiki return to the classrooms this fall, many families are still struggling to purchase basic school supplies. Thankfully, there are several organizations standing by to respond to this hardship. For example, Helping Hands Hawaii’s READY TO LEARN (RTL) initiative distributes school supply kits to students with verified needs. Founded in 1998 by the late Senator Dan Inouye and his wife Maggie, RTL has been providing thousands of students in grades K-12 with basic school supplies.

Agencies that typically refer clients for help include Catholic Charities Hawaii, The Salvation Army, Child and Family Service, QLCC and PACT. If your family receives social services assistance, ask your case worker for a referral to receive items such as backpacks, face masks, pencils, erasers, crayons, and so much more.

On Oahu, a limited supply of back-to-school kits are still available at Helping Hands Hawaii’s Community Clearing House. Walk-in Emergency Services operate each Monday and Tuesday from 9:00 AM thru 3:30 PM. To receive your kit, please visit Helping Hands Hawaii at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway and provide a valid ID, then fill out the request application. Supplies are given on a first come-first served basis. 

For those who want to pitch in with more supplies or monetary donations, please visit the Helping Hands website. Help the keiki get ready to learn!