About 300 local families braved 90-degree weather to attend a back-to-school supplies giveaway on Aug. 12, organized by the UFT and community partners at PS 19 on Staten Island.

“The day was extremely hot, but it went smoothly,” said Marie Rodriguez, the UFT parent and community liaison for Staten Island, who planned the event with Miguel Felix, the school’s parent coordinator, and a representative of MetroPlus Health. “The families that attended were very appreciative.”

The union and MetroPlus filled backpacks with books, pencils, pencil cases and other supplies. Melissa Martino, the pastor at Movement Covenant Church in West New Brighton, contributed markers, crayons and glue.

A dozen community partners — including PS 19’s PTA, the YMCA, the Northwell Health network and NYC Ferry — joined the UFT to set up tables and distribute the supplies.

Rodriguez said the event wasn’t just about supplies, but “was a community outreach” — it was about bringing the community together.

— Marlow Murphy