Families from East Austin at the back-to-school event
Two nonprofit organizations helped East Austin families on Sunday by providing free school supplies and clothing during their annual back-to-school drive.
AUSTIN, Texas – Two nonprofit organizations are helping families in East Austin by providing them with free school supplies and clothing.
Crowds of parents and children lined up for hours under a gazebo on Sunday for Impactful Inspirations Inc. and Little Treasures’ fourth annual back-to-school drive.
“There’s a greater need for help than I thought,” said mother Regina Parker. “I’m a single mother of three, so it’s really helpful.”
Stephanie Walker, event organizer and director of Impactful Inspirations, says more than 200 backpacks were available for those in need.
“We want as many backpacks as possible for as many kids as possible. All of the backpacks are already filled with school supplies. There’s also underwear on this table. Whatever we have is available to anyone, it’s free,” Walker said.
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The community event began at 3 p.m. and families were already queuing by noon.
“Everyone is trying to get free stuff, everyone is outdoing everyone else,” Parker said.
“First come, first served. We’ve been handing out tickets so anyone who’s been here since 12 or 1:30 already has their tickets,” Walker said.
According to Walker, the items were purchased with funds donated to the organizations by community members.
“We also have hairdressers and vouchers for free haircuts and free braids,” Walker said.
“We brought our grandson here to buy a backpack and hopefully he can buy some shoes too. This is great. I didn’t have enough money to give him so this is great,” said grandparent Stanley Hamilton.
The director of the nonprofit organization says financial support has also been provided to the families.
“It feels really good because I’m from Austin and growing up, we didn’t have that. We didn’t have the option in our community for our parents to come by and get free school supplies and other things that we needed,” Walker said.
The nonprofits ran out of supplies and plan to hold another back-to-school drive next year.
