Save Our Youth Savannah delivers school supplies to students ahead of first day

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A local non-profit spent Sunday delivering school supply bags directly to students across Savannah, one day before classes resume across the Coastal Empire.

Save Our Youth Savannah volunteers drove to seven different housing complexes over three hours, bringing care bags that included school supplies, hygiene essentials, and snacks. Rain did not stop volunteers, who grabbed umbrellas and continued deliveries as the weather moved in Sunday afternoon.

Eleventh annual drive

This year’s back-to-school drive marked the eleventh of its kind for the organization. Founder Latasha Barnes said the need among students in the city is clear.

“These kids, the look on their face like I wasn’t even going to school tomorrow,” Barnes said.

Barnes said she sees the impact each year as supplies reach dozens of students.

“The response is that love wins, you know,” Barnes said. “At the end of the day the joy these kids get, we hope they pay it forward to somebody else, even in the rain look.”

Fully independently funded

Save Our Youth Savannah operates without outside institutional funding. Barnes said the drive was made possible through fundraising, donations, and community partners.

“I sell food, we do things, we fundraise to help offset because you know, we got lives too but we still want to do our part, so we have great people in the community, other non-profits that support us,” Barnes said.

Student Amir Carlers described what was inside his bag.

“We got glue sticks, we got markers, we got a notebook, and some crayons,” Carlers said.

Beyond the supply drive, Save Our Youth Savannah also works with families to obtain school uniforms and other needs ahead of the school year. Families can contact the organization at (912) 441-3527.