Local student starts school supply drive helping Coachella Valley families
Kendall Flynn
THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The school year is just around the corner, and school supplies are anticipated to be the most expensive in years. But one local student, Natalie Barrios, is determined to make a difference for her community with a school supply donation drive.
“I just feel like every kid should be prepared for the first day of school, and they shouldn’t be struggling to have new school supplies,” Barrios said.
According to Savings.com, families plan to spend a record-high $628 per child on clothing, supplies and tech, which is up 4% from last year. Overall, 71% of families plan to spend more than last year.
Knowing the rising costs, Natalie and her mother came up with the idea for a supply drive. Now, Natalie and her brother are working to collect school supplies and backpacks for local students. Something that was inspired by the community need she’s seen in her own classrooms.
“I have seen kids who sometimes don’t have pencils or notebooks or just like the necessary things for basic school day,” Barrios said.
Barrios is a student with the Palm Springs Unified School District, and while the donation drive is not affiliated with any organization or district, PSUSD said drives like these from their students are inspiring.
Jessica Whiteman is the Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction at PSUSD and was formerly a principal. She said she’s seen how PSUSD aids students with supplies each year, but the community drives are big help as costs rise.
“That’s heartwarming because it shows that desire and need to support one another and come together as a community to help anyone in need, but our students and our future,” Whiteman said.
Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more of what you need to know for school supplies this year from PSUSD officials, and the story of a local student hoping to help.
For information to help Natalie Barrios with her donation drive see:
