Annual School Supply Drive for LPPS

Assessor Jeff Taylor Announces 22nd Annual School Supply Drive for Livingston Parish Students
Posted on 07/26/2022
Assessor Jeff Taylor Announces 22nd Annual School Supply Drive for Livingston Parish Students
Local Associated Grocers Stores to Assist Parish-Wide Effort

LIVINGSTON, La. – Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor, local volunteers and area businesses are sponsoring the 22nd Annual ASSESS THE NEED campaign to provide school supplies for students in Livingston Parish for the 2022-2023 school year.
ASSESS THE NEED is a not-for-profit program that provides supplies for Livingston Parish students in need of assistance. This year’s campaign hopes to provide supplies for more than 3,000 students across the parish.

Collection efforts will include volunteers standing outside eight of the parish’s Associated Grocers, Inc., stores – Carter’s Supermarket in Albany, Springfield, Livingston, Walker, Hatchell Lane in Denham Springs, and Vincent Road in Denham Springs; Oak Point Fresh Market in Watson; and Village Market in Port Vincent. Volunteers will collect donations at those sites over two weekends – Aug. 6-7 and Aug. 20-21 – each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“We are excited about working with these Associated Grocers’ locations across our parish,” Taylor said. “These local businesses are integral members of their communities, and they share our goal to see the children of Livingston Parish learn and succeed.”

Taylor noted that other businesses and individuals in the parish have given monetary and in-kind donations to support the campaign.

“It’s important that our students begin the school year with the supplies they need to do their work. Our campaign’s goal is to make sure every child is equipped to learn, and hopefully through this effort, let them know that their parish community believes in them and cares about their future. It’s why we do this year after year,” Taylor said.
Livingston Parish School Superintendent Joe Murphy said Taylor and ASSESS THE NEED volunteers work with school officials each year to ensure that the supplies provided will be beneficial to the students’ classroom experience. In particular, he noted that earbuds, calculators, and STEM learning accessories have been added to some supply lists.

“The ASSESS THE NEED program is a much-needed resource for many families who struggle to afford these necessary supplies. We are very fortunate to have a program that committed to addressing this need and a generous community that supports this effort,” Murphy said.

Taylor said the program has created four ways that people can give to Assess the Need.

They are:
1. Link to Venmo to donate through a mobile device. The link is available in print and web ads in local newspapers, on signs across the parish, and on cards at local businesses.
2. Donations can be dropped off at the Livingston Parish Assessor’s Office, located on Government Boulevard in Livingston; Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
3. Donations can be given to volunteers who will be accepting donations at the eight local AG stores on two weekends – August 6-7 and August 20-21.
4. Donations can be mailed to Assess the Need, P.O. Box 1802, Denham Springs, LA 70727-1802.

Taylor noted that all donations are tax deductible, and all proceeds go to support student needs in Livingston Parish.

The supplies will be provided for all parish schools before the first day of class, which begins on Aug. 9, so they can be distributed to needy students as quickly as possible.

Sponsors of this year’s ASSESS THE NEED campaign include Livingston Parish News; The Advocate; WAFB-TV; Hammond Daily Star; Action 17 News; Guarantee Restoration Services; CST Multifamily Real Estate Services; Freedom Prosthetic; Richard Price Contracting Co.; Plantation Management; Elite Chiropractic Sports & Nutrition; Mclaff; McDonald’s; Lewis Graphic Design; Taylor Media Services; Lamar Advertising; Boyer, Hebert, Caruso & Angelle Law Firm; La Pro; Good Hope; Lard Oil of Denham Springs; Unity Prayer Center; Audubon Village Investments; Denham Springs Properties; Oak Point Shopping Center; Carter’s Supermarket; Big Mike’s Bar & Grill; Village Market; Bank of Zachary; Kiwanis Club of Denham Springs; Heartland Veterinary Partners; and The Way Church of Livingston.