Austin, TX – The 12th Annual School Supplies Packing Event organized in partnership between Shalom Austing and Hindu Charities for America (HC4A) was held on August 4th at the Dell Jewish Community Center and concluded with resounding success. The event saw an impressive turnout of close to 300 volunteers from all walks of life, uniting to support Austin area children in need as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
This supply packing was made possible thanks to the success of the fundraiser “Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt” (BMBB) in April, where over $40,000 was raised. City of Austin’s “We All Belong” initiative also gave a grant in support of the event. This initiative aims to foster community unity and provide critical resources, and participating organizations were honored to be part of it.
The packing event was for the benefit of families associated with Austin ISD, Greater Love Baptist Church, Del Valle ISD, Dove Springs Proud, Manor ISD, Veterans, Asian Families Support Services of Austin, and the African American Youth Foundation (AAYHF).
Community Turnout and Activities
The community’s spirit was palpable as volunteers of all ages and backgrounds came together on a Sunday afternoon, filling the venue with energy and enthusiasm. Volunteers showed up, eager to pack and distribute essential school supplies.
Families, friends, school employees, and nonprofits worked side by side in this seamlessly concerted event. They carefully packed over 1500 of backpacks with notebooks, pencils, crayons, and other necessary supplies into custom-specified backpacks for a child’s specific needs, ISD, and grade levels. Each volunteer took pride in knowing that their efforts would directly benefit children who might otherwise start the school year without the tools they need to succeed.
The event saw participation from various organizations and their dedicated volunteer groups. They included: Accenture, AAYHF, Arya Samaj Austin and Houston, Apple, Basis Austin, Boy Scouts of America, Dell, SAIVA, Shalom Austin, and Share The Will Foundation. Their collective efforts contributed significantly to the event’s success and the positive impact.
Impact on the Community
This year’s event had a significant impact, reaching over 1,500 children in the Austin area. The smiles and gratitude from the organizations who received the supplies were a testament to the difference that community support can make.
Research consistently highlights the crucial role that preparedness plays in a student’s ability to excel academically. Equipped with the right tools, students are more engaged, focused, and confident in the classroom, leading to improved attendance, higher grades, and increased participation in extracurricular activities.
Austin ISD’s Project HELP Supervisor & District Homeless/Foster Care Liaison, Carla Scott, said, “What inspires us at Project HELP to be here is this organization, and these backpacks support our homeless, foster, and military-connected students that attend Austin ISD. We are able to leverage these donations to support the students all year long because students and kids can find themselves in homeless situations at the end of a school day.” She added that in such unfortunate situations, as parents reach out, one of the first things they grab is these backpacks, as they provide normalcy and connection to what the students have to do the next day at school.
Notable Moments and Quotes
The event was filled with memorable moments, from the tiny arms of children eagerly packing supplies to heartfelt appreciation from senior citizens.
Commenting on the large and enthusiastic turnout of children and youth at the event, Christina Marie York from the African American Youth Harvest Foundation said, “As adults, we show our children which direction to go and how to give back, and that’s exactly what they do. When we are energetic, they are energetic. I love their energy, their altruism, and everything they are doing in there!”
21 year old Eesha Shreyansh Shah who has been volunteering every year at this event since she was 14 said that “My entire family does it. It is a fun event and a pillar event for the community.”
Arjun, 13 year old photography volunteer at the event said that, “The biggest impact this event has had on me today is seeing how good people can be. Because I know there is tons of poverty there every year and events like these combat that.”
Will Williams, founder of Share the Will Foundation for veterans and their families, said, “This is great for the military because you have E4 and below that live on a poverty level. So they have to decide if they are gonna buy school supplies or groceries. When thye get school supplies, they can concentrate on groceries” He added that his grandchildren drove down from Oklahoma to be there for the event and were ready early in the morning for the noon event.
Looking Forward
Events like BMBB not only raise essential funds but also promote multicultural togetherness by bringing diverse communities together for a common cause. This spirit of unity and mutual support aligns perfectly with the mission of city initiatives like “We All Belong,” fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and connected.
The success of this School Supplies Packing Event is a shining example of what can be accomplished when a community comes together for a common cause. The positive impact on the lives of children and their families is immeasurable, and the event has undoubtedly set the tone for a brighter, more equitable school year ahead.
