On Saturday, the Yolo County Children’s Alliance organized its seventh back-to-school backpack and school supplies for K-12 students in West Sacramento.
This community-supported event provided more than 1,100 K-12 students with backpacks, school supplies, snacks, health resources and more as families prepare for the coming school year.
Additionally, 23 adults and children were able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the event.
“Many families supported through this event continue to be impacted by the pandemic, global and national uncertainty, and economic inflation,” YCCA noted in a press release.
“They are navigating between the high cost of living, the traumas of the pandemic and various community stressors. This year’s backpack giveaway event was meant to celebrate the diversity and resilience of our community, as well as provide families with needed resources and school supplies for their children.
One such recipient, who recently arrived in West Sacramento from Afghanistan, said, “This event helps a lot of families, especially mine.
“We’re trying to adjust to the new chapter in our lives, and that helps us on our journey. Plus, it helps our kids start their school with the right supplies, which motivates them to learn.”
The backpack donation took place at the Family Resource Center in West Sacramento. Other vendors available include the Yolo County Health & Human Services Agency and Move It Up, who provided vaccines, as well as Out of the Box Ministries, West Sacramento Police and Fire Departments, West Sacramento Parks and Recreation, Free Books for Kids, and Yolo County Car Seats.
“This past year has been traumatic and uncertain for families as they navigate the new normal with COVID-19 surges and economic stressors. Our backpack giveaway is a way for YCCA to offset some of these stressors by bringing the community together for a fun celebration with resources and tangible items like school supplies and food bags,” said Jeneba Lahai, Executive Director of the Yolo County Children’s Alliance. to strengthen our community by building resilience in youth, adults and families, and we do this by celebrating our community, collaborating with partners and building networks of support.
This event was entirely funded by community donations and partner support. A week earlier, West Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem Quirina Orozco and the organization, West Sac Kids Give Back, held a school supply drive to directly benefit the event.
Other partners include League of Heroes Inspired, Yolo County Office of Education, Washington Unified School District, City of West Sacramento, Yolo County, Move It Up by UC Davis, Stanford Sierra Youth & Families, Walmart Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Teichert Foundation, Waste Management, Yolo Federal Credit Union, Travis Credit Union, Yolo Food Bank, First Northern Bank and First 5 Yolo.
For more information about the Yolo County Children’s Alliance, visit www.YoloKids.org. For Yolo County residents who still need a backpack, call 916-572-0560.
— Contact Anne Ternus-Bellamy at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @ATernusBellamy.