Albuquerque Press Club Partners With City to Do the “Write” Thing

ALBUQUERQUE – The press knows the importance of a good pen. This summer, the Albuquerque Press Club (APC) is putting that knowledge into action alongside the City’s Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness (HHH) to collect writing supplies for children living at Gateway Family, the City’s supportive housing center for families experiencing homelessness. The Back-to-School Writing Supplies Drive runs through August 9, and the community is invited to drop off donations at multiple locations citywide.

“Pens, pencils, and notebooks might not seem like a big deal,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “But for some kids being able to show up to school with the right supplies makes a huge difference.”

Gateway Family serves approximately 65 families at a time, providing a safe place to stay as well as comprehensive support, housing assistance, and connections to school and early childhood services. At any given time around 120 children call Gateway Family home, kids who are preparing to head back to school and need the same supplies their classmates will have.

“Every child at Gateway Family is navigating something most of us never had to think about,” said HHH Homeless Innovations Officer Brittany Karnezis. “We’re grateful to the Albuquerque Press Club for turning their love of the written word into something that directly supports these kids.”

“As journalists and communications professionals, we believe deeply in the power of words and that every child deserves the tools to wield it,” said Sarah Supple, APC board secretary. “Hopefully this drive inspires our members and the broader community to give at least a little something.”

The drive is collecting writing supplies including #2 pencils (wooden or mechanical); blue, black, and red pens; pink erasers; highlighters; pencil sharpeners; pencil pouches and cases; composition books; spiral notebooks; wide-ruled paper; and college-ruled paper. A full list of needed items is available at cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness/gateway-system-of-care/gateway-family.

Donations may be dropped off at the following locations through August 9:

Albuquerque Press Club – 201 Highland Park Circle SE │ Open daily, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

Health and Social Service Centers – All four City locations │ Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness/health/health-social-services to find your nearest center.

Gateway Center – 5400 Gibson SE │ During on-site donation drive:

Saturday, August 1, 2026 │ 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

To learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities with the Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness visit cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness/volunteer-and-donate/health-housing-and-homelessness-volunteer-program.

The Albuquerque Press Club is a member-owned and member-operated social and professional community connecting journalists, communications professionals, and community members since 1965. Learn more at abqpressclub.com.

The Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness works to improve quality of life for all Albuquerque residents through behavioral health, public health, affordable housing, and homelessness services. For more information, visit cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness or call 311.