Stuff the School Box

Vital Stats

Edna V

La Blanca, TX

  • people helped1500
  • People Doing It 35

The Problem

Stuff the School Box is a school supply drive that benefits children that come from low-socio economic families of the South Texas-Mexico border region. The project takes place in The Lower Rio Grande Valley- a four-county area (Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, and Willacy) located in the southernmost part of Texas at the border with Mexico. Compared to the rest of the nation, the Valley has a unique demographic profile being one of the poorest and most underserved area in the United States. Majority of the residents are Hispanic, speak Spanish at home, and about 40% have less than a high school education. In addition, about 50% of residents are immigrants, mostly from Mexico. With limited resources a lot of parents find it difficult to purchase school supplies for their child; therefore, our mission is to assist these parents by providing their child with a school supply box full of necessary supplies. This project started since 2006 and has been able to provide for over 1,500 children.

Plan of Action

Before the school semester starts, outside of a local Wal-Mart, I set up a box with our logo where people can drop off donations of school supplies. As people go into the store they are given a flyer listing the supplies they may donate or we inform them that they can give a cash donation as well. As the person comes outside of Wal-Mart they usually drop off supplies inside our collection box. Also, every year I announce the drive and show a video of the drive at my local church, which is composed of approximately 600 members. I inform the members that they can drop off donations in a drop off box that is located outside my church lobby. A lot of the members are supportive of the drive and make cash donations. After the donations are collected, I ask my friends and youth of my church to help in preparing the kits that will be given to each child. Usually I have help from a total of 30 volunteers. Furthermore, children with need are selected from an area in the Valley or in a bordering city of Mexico. A special event is held where the kids are invited to come and pick up their school supply kit. The event usually consists of a special speech to motivate children to continue with their education, music for the children to dance along to, and give out of school supply kit. This event is usually held at a church or in a selected area near the community where the selected children reside at. This project has been held since 2006 and has helped over 1,500 children. It has also created volunteer opportunities and inspired many others to take action in community service projects. With my experience in community service, I have been asked to give presentations to youth groups about the importance and benefits of service in their community.
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Homelessness and Poverty

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