Back-to-school shopping event helps 82 local children start school with confidence
Community volunteers paired with children to help them shop for $200 worth of new clothes and shoes, easing back-to-school costs for families across Redlands and the Inland Empire.
REDLANDS, Calif. — Eighty-two local children received new clothes and shoes ahead of the school year during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside's annual Back-to-School Shopping Event at Kohl's in Redlands.
Each child was paired with a volunteer and received a $200 Kohl's gift card to purchase school clothing and shoes during the tax-free shopping event, easing back-to-school costs for families facing financial hardship.
The program was funded through donations from Moss Bros., the Kiwanis Club of Redlands, the Kiwanis Club of San Bernardino and Children's Fund.
"We see that everyday expenses continue to climb, and back-to-school season can place a huge burden on our families," Michael Wells, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside, said in a statement. "We want to make sure that our Club Kids walk in on their first day of school with dignity and confidence because when we invest in our kids now, we invest in their future."
Clothes and shoes are two of the largest back-to-school expenses for many families. National surveys show families continue to face rising back-to-school costs, with many delaying purchases or waiting for sales to stretch their budgets.
According to the organization, the participating families live at or below the federal poverty level. Organizers said the program was designed to help offset the rising cost of preparing children for the new school year.
Community volunteers from the Redlands Fire Department, the Redlands Elks Lodge, Amazon and the local community served as shopping partners, helping children select clothing and shoes that fit their needs and personal style.
"This event was a true blessing for us," parents Michelle and Martin Ramos said in a statement. "Over the past two months, our family faced a lot of unexpected financial hardships, and we were not going to have the money to buy him what he needed. This relieves a huge burden for our family and keeps us from having to borrow money just so that he's ready."
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside has served Inland Empire youth since 1967 through after-school programs, camps and other youth development initiatives.
