With Information Provided to the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol
For the third year in a row, L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise have distributed as many as 33,000 free backpacks filled with school supplies to L.A. County students.
The distribution sites have been held at their community resource centers. On Saturday, July 23, dozens of families gathered at the Serra Medical Clinic in Sun Valley to receive them.
Students from kindergarten to college have received supplies from this backpack event series.
Organizers pointed to the needs families currently face, especially those who struggle with “income insecurity.” They also referenced a recent Pew Research Center study that indicated seven out of 10 Americans view inflation as the top problem facing the country, and the current price of many consumer goods has increased at the fastest year-over-year rate in four decades.
“With more families feeling the pinch of inflation everywhere from the supermarket to the gas station, we are glad to alleviate some of the costs associated with gearing up for a new school year,” said John Baackes, L.A. Care CEO. “Families should be focused on school readiness, and not on what supplies they can skimp on to make ends meet,” he said.
“We want to bring some peace of mind to families impacted by rising costs due to inflation, and to provide students across L.A. County with backpacks, food, and other necessary school supplies to help ensure a successful school year,” said James Cruz, MD and chief medical officer for Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. “Through these back-to-school events, everyone can also learn about the vital resources available at our Community Resources Centers to help them live a healthy life.”
To learn more about the Community Resource Centers, visit activehealthyinformed.org.