Many obstacles have hindered learning in this past year— not only due to remote learning schedules but also due to decreased income for many families. With your help, we can make the 2021-2022 school year a much brighter one for kids in need. Get your family and friends involved in back-to-school giving as a meaningful and fun summer activity with these local organizations.

 

Miracle Backpacks

Miracles for Kids assembles backpacks of school supplies, seasonal gifts, and healthy snacks for critically ill students in low-income families. Miracles for Kids is collecting school supply donations such as pencil cases, binders, calculators, and hand sanitizer at their office (17848 Sky Park Circle, Suite C, Irvine, CA 92614) up until July 19. Volunteers can help assemble the baskets from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on July 31 and distribute the baskets on the same day, starting at 12:30 p.m. Sign up to volunteer on their website at MIRACLESFORKIDS.ORG/VOLUNTEER-TODAY

 

Reaching Out to Students

South County Outreach has organized a backpack and school supply drive occurring from June 28 to Aug. 2. The needed supplies are divided into three categories based on the age of students: primary school, elementary school, and middle/high school. Volunteers are encouraged to choose a category and fill a backpack with the suggested supplies for the grade level of their choosing. You can drop off the backpacks at 7 Whatney Ste B, Irvine, CA 92618 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For more information, contact FOODTEAM@SCO-OC.ORG, call 949 380-8144 x203, or visit their website at SCO-OC.ORG

 

Donate Supplies, Give Hope

For their school supply drive, Project Hope Alliance (PHA) focuses on aiding students in the Newport Mesa School District who are experiencing homelessness. PHA aims to give 300 students— more than any previous year!— backpacks filled with supplies and a $50 gift card. Volunteers can contribute monetary donations to buy supplies and gift cards, or purchase physical supplies and drop them off at the PHA office in Costa Mesa. Additionally, volunteers can order supplies online directly from the student’s Amazon wish lists. Visit their website at PROJECTHOPEALLIANCE.ORG for more information, at PROJECTHOPEALLIANCE.ORG/BACKPACKS.

 

Sharing is Caring

Costa Mesa-based Share Our Selves, a health center that provides care and advocates for systemic change for those in need, has partnered with the OC Fair & Events Center’s “We Care Wednesday” program annually for 25 years. They collect school supply donations, assemble volunteers to organize the donations, and facilitate supply drives. Share Our Selves operates thanks to financial sponsors, which help with buying supplies and offering scholarships to students. To get involved, visit their website at SHAREOURSELVES.ORG