A Whirlwind Summer, and What’s Next!
It’s been a whirlwind summer at Family Giving Tree as we were all things Back-to-School (with a dash of Holiday Wish Drive on the side!) So far, we've distributed 34,000 backpacks and school supplies to students across the Bay Area and beyond!
I am so thankful for the community behind this: our amazing staff, dedicated volunteers, Drive Leaders, corporate partners, and everyone who donates. But I am also incredibly thankful for the schools and agencies we work with, because they are truly how this all becomes possible.
Our agency partners register for the program, complete their informational needs, pick up the backpacks, and distribute them to recipients. We make every effort to attend these distributions, and I attended one in Morgan Hill last month.
I was born and raised in Morgan Hill, and my parents still live in my childhood home, so being back in my hometown made this distribution extra special. One of our partner agencies, an affordable housing complex, hosted the event, and I loved how they set it up.
They made it a fun, family-friendly information night, with activities and other nonprofits there to connect families with community services.
I helped their team distribute backpacks, specifically to the kindergarten through second-grade students. It was so fun watching them meticulously choose their perfect backpack. I remember those days. It was a very important decision. Whatever backpack I chose set the tone for the whole school year! (At least in my third-grade mind.)
At one point, a woman stopped by, phone in hand, with her three grandchildren on the other end of the call. She was there to pick up their backpacks, and she put each of them on FaceTime separately so they could see the available backpacks and carefully choose their own. I loved seeing this. It was such a simple moment, but also a testament to how invested families are in their children’s education and in making sure they are ready for school.
The organizer also shared that they are thankful that Family Giving Tree provides backpacks for their students because, in previous years, the organization purchased them itself. Now they can use those funds to provide dinners for the families at the event.
I appreciated that they served the whole family and met people where they were.
Moments like these fuel my passion for this work, and I love that every day I get to be surrounded by people who care.
Though Back-to-School is almost wrapped up, if you can believe it, the holidays are almost here! Stay tuned for updates on how you can join us for our Holiday Wish Drive.
In hope, joy, and community,
