El Paso Community College (EPCC) joined forces with the El Paso Community Foundation to make a substantial contribution to the future of local students by hosting their 10th Annual School Store Backpack Giveaway. The event took place at the Valle Verde Campus this past Saturday, ensuring 1,200 students could begin their academic year with the tools they need for success. According to EPCC News, the giveaway has almost doubled in impact compared to last year's 650 children served.
Bringing together 32 EPCC departments and various community partners, the initiative aimed to fully equip kindergarten through sixth-grade students. "This year is bigger and better," Dr. Yasmin Flores, an Associate Professor of Music at EPCC who organized the event alongside Dean Brian Kirby, told EPCC News. "We have so many volunteers from our EPCC community helping children collect goods for the academic school year. Kids are playing games and enjoying food—it's an absolute blast and super cool!" Each backpack was filled with school supplies tailored to suit different age groups, with larger styles for older students and playful designs for the younger ones.
The inception of the School Store was the brainchild of Patricia Islas, Shanan Valles, Naomi Weissman, Irene G. Perez, and the EPCC Service-Learning Program at the Rio Grande Campus. Today, their legacy is carried forward through the ongoing dedication of faculty, staff, and an assembly of student and community volunteers. Any backpacks not distributed during the giveaway will find their way to county schools that are grappling with shortages.
Local businesses were not shy to show their support, with Whataburger, McDonald's (complete with an appearance from Grimace), Peter Piper Pizza, and Tejano Jack offering food and entertainment. The El Paso Fire Department managed to practically engage young minds by showcasing a fire truck and ambulance, according to EPCC News. EPCC cheerleaders came out as well, their presence to effortlessly infusing the day with an extra dose of school spirit and community camaraderie.
