Uber Offers Free Pick-Up For School Supplies Donated To Operation: Kid Equip
(DETROIT) - Back to school shopping is an exciting time for kids - picking out new backpacks and lunchboxes and other items considered essential for the start of the new school year. But for thousands of homeless kids and children living in poverty - back to school only emphasizes the difficulties in being prepared on day one to learn.
Enter Uber Detroit and Operation: Kid Equip (OKE) has launched #UberSCHOOL to collect school supply donations on demand!
On Saturday, August 29, you can request an Uber to your location, at no cost, to collect school supply donations. All items will go directly to OKE to benefit students in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County. The head of OKE, Michael Kniespeck, is also an Uber driver-partner.
"The school day needs of homeless students are often not considered," said Michael Kniespeck, the founder of OKE who drives with Uber on the side to raise funds to help pay for meals for food-insecure families. "We're excited to work with Uber to empower the local community to help homeless kids in our area."
"Every child deserves access to a great education, and we are thrilled to team up with Operation: Kid Equip to help more kids have a well-prepared start to their school year," said Uber Michigan General Manager, Mike White.
HOW IT WORKS:
1. Collect new and/or unopened supplies from the suggested supply list (below)
2. Open your Uber app in Detroit between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 29
3. Request SCHOOL at the bottom of the screen
4. If you're connected, a car will arrive to pick up your items – and will drop-off your donation to Operation: Kid Equip
A large majority of identified homeless students attend school each day. Supplies collected through this partnership with OKE will go to help address the needs of the 7,400 identified homeless students in the tri-county area.
Operation: Kid Equip Suggested Supplies List:
• Crayons (16- or 24-pack)
• Pencils
• Pens
• Markers (washable)
• Scissors (blunt-tip)
• Rulers
• Glue Sticks
• Spiral Notebooks
• Backpacks
• Hygiene items like bar soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products for the older students.
• Snacks (non-perishable, not expired)
