Guadalupe Center is collecting notebooks, folders, writing utensils and other items for Immokalee students through Aug. 9 as part of the nonprofit’s 32^nd annual School Supply Drive.

School supplies will be distributed to students in Guadalupe Center’s After-school Tutoring Program, which serves approximately 760 students in kindergarten, first and second grades. The program provides academic support and enrichment opportunities to ensure students are achieving academic milestones.

Additionally, Guadalupe Center is partnering with teachers to collect academic materials, such as learning-focused board games and index cards, and classroom supplies like construction paper, tissues and batteries.

“Many Immokalee families struggle financially and have limited resources after paying for rent, transportation, utilities and other monthly expenses,” said Dawn Montecalvo, president and CEO of Guadalupe Center. “For children, starting the school year with a new backpack stuffed with school supplies offers hope and confidence that they can achieve success in the classroom.”

Community members, businesses and civic groups in Southwest Florida are encouraged to donate the following items:

Student supplies

• Composition notebooks (wide-ruled)
• Plastic folders (three prongs, two pockets)
• No. 2 pencils
• Pencil cases
• Pencil-tip erasers
• Pens
• Colored pencils
• Crayons (24-pack)
• Highlighters (yellow)
• Scissors
• Personal white boards
• White-board erasers
• Glue sticks

Academic materials

• Language arts games (K-2^nd grades)
• Math games (K-2^nd grades)
• Learning games (K-2^nd grades)
• Sight word rings
• Play manipulatives
• Board games
• Index cards

Classroom supplies

• Dry erase markers
• Dry erase pocket sleeves
• Plastic bags (gallon, quart and sandwich)
• Pencil sharpeners (battery operated)
• Permanent markers
• Traditional headphones (not ear pods)
• Play-Doh
• Tissues
• Storage clipboards
• AA and AAA batteries
• Sticky notes
• Construction paper

New school supplies can be dropped off or mailed to Guadalupe Center at 3655 Westclox St., Immokalee, FL 34142; Guadalupe Center’s development office at 2640 Golden Gate Parkway, Suite 205, Naples, FL 34105; or Guadalupe Resale Shop, 12980 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 10, Naples, FL 34110. Monetary donations can be made online through a secure portal at GuadalupeCenter.org/how-to-give. All donations are tax deductible.

For questions or to schedule a donation pick-up, please contact Elizabeth Cuevas at ECuevas@GuadalupeCenter.org or call 239-944-9988.

About Guadalupe Center
Established in 1984, Guadalupe Center provides high-quality, life-changing educational programs to more than 1,950 students annually. Recognized nationally as a model for nonprofits serving students from low-income, rural communities, Guadalupe Center is creating a cycle of prosperity through education for students and families in Immokalee. The organization offers three highly successful programs – the nationally accredited Early Childhood Education Program, After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program and college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program – that foster personal and academic success leading to economic independence. Platinum-rated by GuideStar, Guadalupe Center is generously supported by private donors, philanthropic organizations and community partners. For more information, please visit GuadalupeCenter.org or call 239-657-7711.