Athens Launches Citywide School Supply Drive for Kids in Need

When school starts next Friday in Athens, Greece, every child will have a chance to show up with the supplies they need, thanks to a citywide donation drive launched by the municipality.

The City of Athens is collecting backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other school essentials for families who need help getting their kids ready for class. The initiative runs through the city's Reception and Solidarity Center, known as KYADA, which already supports hundreds of children each year.

This year marks the first time the center has opened the appeal to the entire community. Officials hope the wider reach will help them assist even more families before the September 11 school start date.

Nikos Chrysogelos, deputy mayor and president of KYADA's board, says the campaign is about giving every student an equal shot at success. "What drives us is every child's right to an equal education," he explained in the city's announcement.

The main collection event takes place this Saturday, September 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at KYADA's offices on Peiraios Street in central Athens. Residents can drop off new or gently used supplies in excellent condition, including backpacks, pencil cases, markers, glue sticks, and more.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond Saturday's event, the city has created a permanent way for residents to help. The Social Bookstore and Stationery Store near Larissa Station accepts school supply donations year-round, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This ongoing collection point means Athens can respond to children's needs throughout the entire school year, not just in September. It transforms a one-time drive into a sustainable support system that strengthens the community's ability to look after its youngest members.

The campaign reflects what officials call "the strength of social cohesion and solidarity" in Athens, showing how a city can rally around its kids when it matters most.