Back-to-school often means “back to spending” for parents on the hunt for required school supplies for their kids. The items on the list can add up which can be daunting for families on a limited income.
The Tampa YMCA is here to help with the 21
st Annual Backpack Outreach event in partnership with Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO). “The Tampa YMCA believes every child deserves the chance to return to school equipped with the tools needed to grow and thrive both in and out of the classroom,” says Campo Family Y Executive Director Jarrod Williams.
The Campo Y teams up with the North Brandon Family Y, Spurlino Family Y and YMCA Camp Cristina to provide free backpacks and school supplies to those in need. After collecting 1,400 donated backpacks, more than 65 Y staff, volunteers and community partners stuff them with school supplies and hand them out to Greater Brandon Area families facing financial hardship.
During the July 27 event, each family also received free healthy snacks, complimentary haircuts, dental screenings, fun entertainment and a wood workshop courtesy of The Home Depot.
“The best thing about this event is it’s community coming together to support community, providing an awesome opportunity for us to all do better collectively,” says North Brandon Y Executive Director Heather Solomon.
This outreach event is just one of the ways the Tampa Y closes the achievement gap between low-income and middle to upper-income students. Thank you to all of our partners, donors, volunteers and staff who make the back-to-school process an easier one for deserving families.
To see photos from the Backpack Outreach Event,
click here.
Pictured above: A Greater Brandon area family showing off their new backpacks courtesy of the Tampa YMCA Backpack Outreach Event.
