Neighbors helping neighbors:: Why Our School Supply Drive Matters More Than Ever
Three years ago, our small Freemason lodge here in Astoria (Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586 F&AM) thought we were embarking on a one-time act of service.
A teacher at P.S. 2Q needed help making sure her students had the basic school supplies required to start the year with confidence. We rallied together, collected backpacks, checked off every item on each supply list, and hand-delivered them with love.
But something remarkable happened.
The community of Queens showed up.
What began as “just one classroom” quickly expanded into several classes across nearby schools. With each year, the drive has grown; and so has our belief in what’s possible when neighbors unite in service to others.
Why This Drive Matters
Most people don’t realize that these backpacks aren’t going to general school supply drives. They’re going directly to special classrooms designed for families experiencing homelessness or facing deep financial hardship.
For these students, lacking something as simple as pencils, notebooks, or paper is not just an inconvenience. It can interrupt their entire education. Without required supplies, a child risks being pulled from their classroom and shuffled around the district. That means broken routines, disrupted friendships, and lost learning.
A backpack filled with supplies doesn’t just represent notebooks and markers.
✨ It represents stability.
✨ It gives dignity.
✨ It says to a child: “You belong here, and you’re not forgotten.”
A Slow Start: But Why This Year Is Crucial
This year, we’ve seen a slower start to the drive than in past years. We know the present economy has placed heavy burdens on families everywhere. When times are tough for everyone, charity efforts can lag: even though that means they’re more important than ever.
That’s why this year, this work feels particularly urgent.
Children should never start a school year feeling unwelcome, unprepared, or unsupported. Our lodge believes deeply in strengthening the pillars of education and community, because when we come together as neighbors, we lift up the next generation and prove that small acts can ripple out farther than expected.
Where We Are Today
Thanks to the generosity of countless friends, family members, and neighbors, here in Queens and beyond, we’re proud to share that we’ve already reached approximately 40% of our fundraising goal. 🎉
Every donation, every backpack purchased from the wishlist, and every share online has brought us closer to placing these tools directly in the hands of the children who need them.
We know we can get there, with your help
How You Can Help Right Now
✔️ Donate directly via GoFundMe: Every dollar counts toward reaching our goal.
✔️ Purchase supplies from our Amazon Wishlist or Walmart List: Pick out items that will ship straight to us and go right into the backpacks.
✔️ Spread the word: If you’re not in a position to give, sharing this effort with friends, family, or coworkers has an incredible ripple effect.
Together, We Can Do This
At Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586, our mission has always been rooted in service, education, and community. This school supply drive is living proof that when neighbors rally for a common good, children’s lives are changed: not just for the start of the school year, but for the long haul of their education journeys.
We are deeply grateful for everyone who has contributed so far. Your generosity, even in challenging times, inspires us.
Let’s finish what we started
Every backpack. Every notebook. Every dollar. It all adds up.
👉 Support the drive today through our GoFundMe, Amazon Wishlist, or Walmart List insert links.
