With the new school year rapidly approaching, local groups are making it easier for children to be ready for that first day by giving them backpacks, notebooks, pencils and other school supplies, as well as clothing.
At the United Way of Ventura County, volunteers have been sorting items for their annual Stuff the Bus campaign, which will result in 1,000 filled backpacks going to children in need.
The school supplies were donated by the community at 70 drop-off sites throughout Ventura County, said Eric Harrison, president and CEO. He estimated the value of each stuffed backpack at about $25.
"This isn't just a folder or a notebook and a pen and a pencil â this is packed," said Harrison. "For a lot of kids, it's like opening a present."
That's especially true for low-income families and single parents, he said.
"What a burden that takes off their backs, the fact that they're not going to have to use part of their paycheck to pay for supplies," Harrison said. "They can use that on rent or food they need."
For Alicia Doyle's article, please read more here.
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