PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 Thousands of Valley children received free backpacks and school supplies Saturday at back-to-school events held across the Phoenix area, as families face rising costs for groceries, gas and school materials.<\/p>\n
Phoenix event at Isaac Middle School<\/p>\n
One of the largest events was held at Isaac Middle School in Phoenix, where the Isaac School District partnered with Molina Healthcare to distribute 1,000 free backpacks filled with school supplies to Phoenix children. Kids were also offered haircuts, immunizations and health screenings at the event.<\/p>\n
Berenice Lucero, a parent of four children heading back to school, said the event eased a financial strain.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me it definitely means a lot \u2014 helps with financial burden of course. I have four kiddos going back to school. This is definitely one of the financially burdening days of year,\u201d Lucero said.<\/p>\n
Isaac School District Superintendent Lily Mesas-Lema said the event was designed to send students into the new school year prepared.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor our students and families this means confidence and readiness they need to begin school well prepared \u2014 with everything from backpack to haircut to vaccinations all in one line,\u201d Mesas-Lema said.<\/p>\n
Among those who attended was student Geovani Lucero, who selected a backpack featuring a video game controller design.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s because I like gaming and it\u2019s a bunch of controllers on it and that\u2019s why I like gaming because of controllers and all of the games,\u201d Geovani said.<\/p>\n
Event at Mesa High School<\/p>\n
Across the Valley, Community Bridges teamed up with the Mesa Prevention Alliance to hold a separate back-to-school event at Mesa High School in Mesa. Organizers distributed 2,000 backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils and other school-related items. Families also received free dental kits, socks and shirts. Dozens of volunteers were on hand to distribute supplies.<\/p>\n
Alison Bruening-Hamati of Pioneer Elementary School said new supplies can set the tone for the school year.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the most exciting parts of going back to school is a new backpack and new school supplies so you are ready for the first day of school. Every kid deserves to have brand new things on the first day of school so they are ready to learn,\u201d Bruening-Hamati said.<\/p>\n
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