Local program helps parents prepare for back to school

Students will begin heading back to school soon, and before that happens, parents need to stock up on back-to-school supplies.

"For me, everything is double. What would be a $20 outfit turns into a $40 outfit," said Cassandra Mosley, a mother of twin boys in Penn Hills.

A local program is working to help parents make sure their kids have everything they need to head back to school.

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Cassandra, and other parents like her, are getting a huge help with back to school shopping this year, thanks to Mosley's neighbor, Jessica Gentile.

"It was just this little idea where I was gonna do like 50 backpacks. Now I have over 200 backpacks," said Gentile.

Gentile told Channel 11 morning anchor Katherine Amenta that what began as a small stuffed backpack giveaway in a Facebook group has turned into a regional outpouring of goodwill among neighbors and several non-profits. She's received donations of items from notebooks to pencils, crayons, erasers, and glue.

As fast as the backpacks are pouring in, Jessica is trying to fill them. She said she's hoping Western Pennsylvania's big hearts will come through.

"When somebody in Pittsburgh needs something, we all gather around," said Mosley.

The main drop-off location for donations and supplies is S&T Bank, 12262 Frankstown Road in Penn Hills.

Jessica's hard work pays off on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 2 p.m.

That's when hundreds of stuffed backpacks will be handed out to children 12 and under at Pizza Ranchini, 1039 Hamil Road, in Penn Hills. Kids must be present, and the backpacks will be distributed on a "first come, first served" basis.

Cox Media Group