Excitement filled the air as 102 children and their families explored the racks of Champs Sports in Rancho Cucamonga, eagerly picking out new shoes, shirts and backpacks stocked with school supplies on July 12.
“It helps financially. It takes off a little of the burden for them to get them ready for school,” said Edith a mom of two and a resident at National CORE’s Rancho Verde Village.
The back-to-school shopping trip was made possible by Verve Church – the third such event hosted by the church community. It’s part of a larger initiative to ensure students living in affordable housing communities across California and in Texas start the school year equipped and confident.
Verve Church has collaborated with Hope through Housing for much of the last decade to host back-to-school carnivals and Christmas parties for the children at Rancho Verde.
For Verve Church member Matt Prok, the cause is deeply personal.
“I was raised by a single mom who had three kids. Even though my mom did the best she could, working two jobs to raise us, I know what it’s like to not have, to want, to be told maybe and to not get,” Matthew said. “It’s a huge passion for me, to give back, to pay it forward.”
With parents projected to spend an average of $874 on back-to-school shopping, according to a Capital One report, events like this one ease the financial pressure too many families face.
This collaboration creates long-term impact that neither organization could achieve alone.
Rancho Verde resident Alina’s son, AJ, 3, received a new pair of shoes. He will attend preschool in fall.
“It means a lot because it’s really helpful to get shoes for the new year – it’s nice to be able to do that for the kids. We appreciate Verve and Hope through Housing for doing this,” Alina said.