Volunteers from MSA in Cranberry Township help pack boxes of school supplies for disadvantaged children last week during the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s third annual Tools for Schools event. Pictured with supplies are MSA employee volunteers Steve Blanco, Jr., Loryn Bertoti, Krystal Blanco, Ron Volpe and Steph Tomaro. Submitted photo

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania held its third annual Tools for Schools event last week, in which volunteers unloaded and sorted school supplies and packed boxes for young students who might otherwise be at a disadvantage.

The event, which was held in Sewickley, saw boxes packed for 32 schools and early elementary partners that serve 10,000 students in the five counties covered by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The boxes were packed by volunteers from many regional businesses and organizations, including MSA in Cranberry Township.

The supplies included books, crayons, pencils, pencil boxes, glue sticks, scissors and other school-related items.

Of the total number of boxes, 1,700 will go to kindergartners in the Butler Area School District who receive free or reduced lunches.

Butler Superintendent Brian White said the district enjoys a great partnership with the United Way, and he appreciates the support for students through Tools for Schools.

“Kids need supplies at the start of the school year and it comes at a cost to their families, so this is a great resource,” White said. “Anything that supports our families is very generous.”

Amy Franz, regional vice president at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, said the supplies will help students anticipate once again attending in-person classes without COVID-19 being the main subject.

“It’s important because kids are excited about school this year,” Franz said.

She said some parents in rural areas without ready transportation may not be able to get to a department store to buy the supplies, while others can’t afford them.

“I think inflation is hitting everyone, and school supplies are probably no exception,” Franz said.

She said the boxes give the youngest students a sense of pride as they enter school and allow all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, to start out from the same spot.

“It levels the playing field for kids,” Franz said.

She hopes the boxes distributed among Butler Area School District’s kindergartners foster a sense of pride and learning.

“Our kids need to know we care about them, and when they see people in the community coming to help them with their school kits, they knew there are people out there who want them to do well,” Franz said.