In Bend, Oregon, the Central Oregon Holiday Toy Drive made a significant contribution to the Family Access Network on August 19, delivering a truckload of school supplies that included 100 brand‑new backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles and other classroom essentials. The donation aims to ease the burden on families facing financial hardship as the new school year begins.
Continued Support for Local Students
Earlier this year, in August, the same charity group donated another 100 backpacks to the Family Access Network, reinforcing a pattern of ongoing assistance for children who lack basic school gear. Chris LaRue, development director for the nonprofit, described the impact as “life‑changing” for the students who receive the new items.
“It’s extremely heart‑warming because you have so many children that are in need and they come to school and their parents can’t afford a brand‑new backpack or a lunchbox or a water bottle,” LaRue said. “For those kids to be able to come in and be given something brand new with everything that they need for the school year, it’s life‑changing.”
Ongoing Need and Upcoming Organizing Party
Despite the latest delivery, the Family Access Network continues to seek additional contributions from the community. The organization plans to host an organizing party at the end of the month to sort through all received donations. Children will have the opportunity to select their own school supplies during a follow‑up event scheduled for next month.
The partnership between the Holiday Toy Drive and the Family Access Network highlights the collaborative spirit of Bend’s nonprofit sector, where volunteers and donors work together to ensure that every child can start the school year equipped for success.
How Residents Can Help
Community members who wish to support the effort are encouraged to contact the Family Access Network directly or attend the upcoming organizing party. Additional donations of school supplies, backpacks, or monetary contributions are welcomed to sustain the program throughout the academic year.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
