A wide collection of stationery materials including backpacks, pencil cases, pens, markers, bags, notebooks, and books is the result of the solidarity campaign “Zaino sospeso” (Suspended Backpack) launched nationwide by Lions Italy and promoted in the Lonato area by Lions Club Colli Morenici. The initiative was presented at the headquarters of the Lonato del Garda Department of Education, in the presence of councilor Nicola Bianchi and Lions Club Colli Morenici president Massimiliano Bocchio.
The Lions have been carrying out this initiative for several years and will continue to do so until 2027. Periodically, once a good amount of material has been collected, it is gathered and delivered to the relevant organization. In this case, the municipality will act as an intermediary in this important initiative, responding to the need to support students in financial difficulty and guarantee their right to education, especially in secondary schools where books are still expensive. The material will be distributed based on the needs indicated by the teachers. Massimiliano Bocchio thanked the families who donated, highlighting how the initiative aims to support the growing economic vulnerabilities.
The initiative takes inspiration from the tradition of “Caffè sospeso” (Suspended Coffee), where in Naples, an extra coffee was paid for those who couldn’t afford it. Several stationery stores have joined this initiative, and anyone who wants and can, when making a purchase at one of the stores displaying the logo, can buy a notebook, pen, pencil, or any other item to leave “suspended” and contribute to helping a less fortunate child.
The initiative represents a model of solidarity and concrete support to ensure the right to education for all students in Lonato.
Italian Version
