Back-to-school shopping adds up quickly.
For Carlest, a mother of five children ages 8 to 18, Hope through Housing’s annual back-to-school event has helped ease that expense for four years.
“It means a lot because I’m on a budget and it helps me not stress,” Carlest said. “It helps take off the cost of supplies, backpacks; that’s a lot with all these kids.”
This year, children at Hawthorne Terrace, a National CORE affordable housing community, had plenty to choose from as they prepared for the new school year.
They searched through tables covered in Universal Studios clothing, spun Verizon’s prize wheel for markers, pencils and crayons, then headed into a room to choose from 48 backpacks filled with school supplies donated by Verizon.
Eight-year-old Lamiyah went with light pink.
By the end of the afternoon, she had also won markers, picked up a mini soccer ball and had it signed by Hugo from the Empire Strykers.
For Lamiyah, the new supplies added to her excitement about starting third grade.
“I’m excited about seeing my teachers,” she said.
While children focused on their new backpacks and supplies, parents appreciated having those resources available right within their community.
For Tunisia, picking up backpacks for her two young sons was as simple as walking downstairs from her apartment.
“Having these resources right here on the premises is so convenient, especially for those with young children who make it hard to go anywhere,” she said.
For other parents, the support meant having one less expense to worry about as the school year approached.
“It helps out by giving us a head start on the backpacks,” said Annabelle, who attended with her three children, ages 8, 12 and 15. “It makes it so I can spend that money on food and other essentials.”
