Housing America Corporation hosts First Back To School Giveaway
Manoah Tuiasosopo
SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Low-income families in Somerton are receiving some useful assistance this week as the Housing America Corporation (HAC) hosted the First Back To School Giveaway.
At the Del Pueblo Apartments in Somerton, children from low income families were able to receive some fresh new gear ahead of the new school year.
Wendy Ramirez, a local, shares, “This helps us because you know the economic is really high now and families with a lot of kids they don’t have a lot of money, it’s not enough. So, this helps a little.”
As part of the giveaway, the HAC is providing free school supplies to children living in its low-income housing units.
Over 60 young students received learning tools like back packs, notebooks, and reusable water bottles on their first stop.
Five of those students were the lucky winners of a golden ticket, a $60 gift card to the local store Journeys.
“We’re just happy that he was one of the lucky winners. So, now he has his shoes for school,” says Ramirez.
The organizer says aid for low-income families extends far beyond just housing.
Yolanda Galindo, Executive Director for HAC, explains, “So, we have 60 kids within these 56 units that we have and the needs always there, so why not alleviate the burden on these families by providing a simple backpack with the utilities, with all the utensils needed to start your school year? I mean, it always brightens the kid’s face.”
The giveaway includes two more stops at low-income housing complexes, providing supplies to over 70 units.
They’ll also be stopping at Wellton Elementary School.
Galindo says this wouldn’t be possible without her sponsors adding, “Just a simple idea that I had, I reached out to the local contractor that we work with and it was overwhelming the response that they had.”
As to the future of the event, Galindo says, “It’ll get bigger and better. Maybe next time we could partner up with the City of Somerton. Just being the response, we were able to gather 180 backpacks full of all supplies.”
The giveaway will continue Wednesday at the Amistad Apartments in Somerton then the Colorado Street Apartments in Yuma on Thursday.