700 Solano Homeless, Foster Youth Get New Backpacks For School

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — More than 700 foster children, homeless students and students in need are starting the school year with a new backpack thanks to an outpouring of support from the community, according to the Solano County Office of Education. After collecting the backpacks through the annual countywide Stuff the Bus campaign, SCOE distributed them to Solano school districts, group homes and other organizations who work with foster youth, homeless and those in need.

"Thanks to the outpouring of local community members, SCOE was able to collect over 295 new backpacks during the campaign," said Kimberly Govi, SCOE program manager and educational liaison.

There are over 1,400 identified homeless youth and approximately 300 foster youth in Solano County, Govi noted.

Starting in late summer, SCOE's Student and Program Support department partnered with many local organizations and volunteers to collect backpacks, school supplies, monetary donations and gift cards.

Community partners also stuffed backpacks with supplies to ensure they were ready for the youth on or before the first day of school, according to SCOE.

The 295 backpacks collected through Stuff the Bus were then combined with previously received donations, bringing to the total to more than 700.

"We are so grateful for the outpouring of support that the Solano community shows our students in need year after year," said Solano County Superintendent of Schools Estrella-Henderson said. "Their generosity really does make a positive difference."

Because the first day of school can be challenging for some students, Estrella-Henderson said, having brand-new school supplies and a fashionable new backpack can help foster and homeless youth feel supported and prepared to learn.

Stuff the Bus partners this year included: Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Sutter Health Valley Area, Valero Benicia Refinery, Wednesday Club of Suisun, Child Welfare Service and many Solano County residents.

Anyone interested in participating in next year's campaign can contact the Solano County Office of Education's Foster and Homeless Youth Services Liaison at 707-399-4812.