Greensboro Program Helps Underserved Children With Back to School Essentials

The Greensboro Police Department is partnering with local businesses and organizations to provide free school supplies and other back to school essentials for underserved students in the city.

The program, called “Operation PASS, or Partners Advocating Student Success”, was launched last year. This year, more than 20 organizations and agencies in Guilford County are participating in the event. 

“We realized some parents needed help with bus transportation or maybe completing free and reduced lunch forms, so we want to be able to provide all of that assistance that day,” says Lt. Pam McAdoo-Rogers with the Greensboro Police Department.

She says the goal of the program is to help kids have a successful school year.

“We are hoping that local barber shops and hair salons will partner with us by supplying vouchers for a free hair cut or free hair style,” says Lt. McAdoo-Rogers.

A student must reside in the Greensboro Housing Authority communities to be eligible for the program. School supplies and vouchers for free haircuts will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.

Lt. McAdoo-Rogers says last year, more than 100 kids benefited from the program. Organizers expect that number to grow this year. She says community support is needed to make the program a success.

Anyone interested in contributing school supplies to Operation PASS can deposit items in drop boxes located at recreation centers and police stations throughout Greensboro. Police are asking for donations of notebooks, pens, pencils, binders, and folders through August 12. 

For more information contact Lt. Pam McAdoo-Rogers with the Greensboro Police Department at 336-433-7328.

Operation PASS will take place on August 15 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.at the Warnersville Recreation Center in Greensboro.