With the beginning of August the countdown to the new school year begins.
It is reported that this year parents will spend more than ever on back-to-school shopping. Fashion Backpack
The National Retail Federation says the average family will spend at least $890 on school supplies this year.That's $25 more than last year.
Over the next few weeks, several organizations plan to distribute free backpacks and school supplies to the community.
“I am a mother, comparing school supplies, uniforms, and everything, if it requires a large amount,” said Alva Perez.
Perez is the executive assistant for the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.
For the past few weeks the community organization has been collecting backpacks, pencils, and notebooks for students throughout the Coachella Valley.
“Categorizing school supplies, putting the backpacks on one side and the supplies on another because this Friday the backpacks begin to fill with supplies and they will be distributed this Saturday at 7 in the morning,” said Perez.
This Saturday, August 5, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission aims to hand out 2,500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies.
The distribution does not require prior registration and students must be present to claim the backpacks.
The event begins at 7 a.m. at 47470 Van Buren in Indio.
“It is a great relief for parents who may not be able to afford it and then how prices have been and with inflation and well, it is a great relief,” said Perez.
School supplies just arrived at the Galilee Center in Mecca for their annual back-to-school event next week.
“It is important for our children to return to school ready to study, ready to learn and not have that worry that they are missing something,” said Lupe Torres Hilario.
Torres is in charge of operations for the non-profit organization and says that a thousand backpacks will be filled with everything necessary.
Backpacks will be delivered on a first-come, first-served basis on Thursday, August 10 and students do not have to arrive with their parents.
“We are going to start at 4 in the afternoon and you have to bring the child's school ID and the parent's ID,” Torres said.
Year after year, organizations like the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and the Galilee Center seek to reduce financial stress for local families during this time of school return.
“And they don't have to worry about buying a backpack or paying rent,” Torres said.
The organizations are also looking for volunteers to help them distribute the backpacks.
For more information you can call the Galilee Center at 760 - 396 - 9100 or the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission at 760 - 347 - 3522.
Marco Revuelta is a reporter for Telemundo 15. You can watch him from Monday to Friday at 6 and 11 at night.Get to know Marco more here.
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