By Khalida Sarwari
Shoes that are too small, pants with holes, clothing that isn’t seasonally appropriate: these are the realities faced by some students throughout the school year.
This isn’t happening in a faraway Third World country, but right here in the West Valley region of one of the most affluent counties in the country. Next week, one local nonprofit is attempting to lighten the burden of nearly 100 children who come from families that struggle to make ends meet.
West Valley Community Services has enlisted the help of more than 100 volunteers to take 98 kids shopping for back-to-school items, such as new clothes and shoes. The shopping spree is set for Aug. 6 at Kohl’s in Campbell. Each student will get at least $100 to spend on necessities for school, in addition to a backpack filled with school supplies.
“Children in low-income or homeless households face so many challenges–educational, emotional and economic–that place them at a significant disadvantage as compared to their peers,” said Josh Selo, executive director of West Valley Community Services. “When a family is already unable to afford basic needs such as rent, gas and food, they also struggle with giving their children basic items that are essential for school success.”
Seema Kumar, a Saratoga resident and the wife of Councilman Rishi Kumar, who serves on the nonprofit’s board of directors, said she found the experience rewarding when she participated for the first time last year.
“What I personally got out of it was just that whole joy and excitement of taking that child, that student, through the store and having them pick what they want as essentials that we sometimes treat as a given,” she said. “But for these kids, their basic needs are not met, so for them it’s just pure joy that you see in their eyes when they pick up something and you help them buy it. They’re just so excited.”
The nonprofit identified students that required financial assistance based on their applications. Students were given a shopping stipend based on their grade level, with those in elementary and middle school receiving $100 and the older kids getting $150.
Several nonprofits and local organizations were involved in raising $14,488 for the program, said Kumar. Those include the Cupertino Rotary Club, De Anza Kiwanis Club, Cupertino Quota Club, Cupertino Lions Club, Girls Scouts Service Unit 630 Day Camp and the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. The backpacks were donated by the Girl Scouts and private donors.
The program was started about 20 years ago by West Valley Community Services, which provides basic needs and family support and housing services to the communities of Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and West San Jose.
Next month, the organization will host its annual Chefs of Compassion fundraiser, where it will enlist four local chefs to prepare one course of a four-course meal using only ingredients from West Valley’s food pantry. The event takes place Sept. 16 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, and tickets are $150. More information about the program can be found at chefsofcompassion.org.
The back-to-school shopping spree will take place from 7 to 10 a.m. at Kohl’s, 525 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell. To learn more about WVCS, visit wvcommunityservices.org.
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West Valley Community Services taking kids on back-to-school shopping spree
