With almost 31 percent of the children in the Coachella Valley below the poverty level, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission looks to help them achieve academic success through their Backpack Bonanza program providing free backpacks and supplies to 2,500 low-income children on Saturday, August 7 starting at 7 a.m.
“Being prepared for school is crucial,” said Darla Burkett, Executive Director. “After food and shelter, education for children is a critical factor in helping break the cycle of poverty and we are grateful to help the community fill this need.”
The Rescue Mission is hoping to distribute more than 2,500 backpacks to children from disadvantaged families and is looking to the community to support this effort. Boxes will distributed at more than 80 locations throughout the Coachella Valley. Locations include Albertson’s in Palm Desert, Bank of Southern California La Quinta and Rancho Mirage, FirstBank Palm Desert, Las Casuelas Terraza Palm Springs, Ralphs in Indio, and Staples in Palm Desert. Donations will be accepted until August 6.
Backpacks and supplies can also be dropped off at the Rescue Mission, located at 47470 Van Buren St. in Indio. An online donation designated for the Backpack Bonanza can be made at CVRM.org with the Donate Now button. Backpacks, spiral notebooks, yellow highlighters, pencil sharpeners, lined paper, and all other school related supplies are needed.
Of the homeless, 20 percent are children under the age of 18 and there are over 150,000 homeless public school students in California.
Since 1971, the Rescue Mission has strived to meet the ever-growing needs of individuals, who for a variety of reasons, have found themselves without the basic necessities of life. A dedicated staff and volunteers serve more than 198,000 hot meals annually and provide 72,000 nights of safe shelter to men, women and children. Food, clothing, and showers are also provided for those who do not shelter at the Mission. More information on how to help support the Rescue Mission, and their programs, can be found at CVRM.org. The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is located at 47-470 Van Buren Street in Indio.
