COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: The Marana Unified School District teamed up with volunteers from the community to provide students with a new backpack to start the school year.
Youth Education Supporters (YES) partnered with the district to raise thousands of dollars to fill 1,100 backpacks with school supplies.
According to the district, YES, the Stocker Foundation and nearly 100 supporters raised $19,000 to help MUSD Student Services distribute the backpacks at a two-day event for students and families.
YES was formed in 2019 and has been involved in many different efforts to help teachers, families and students in the Marana Unified School District.
Cindy Ruich, Director of Student and Family Support Services with MUSD, said there is a great need right now for families in Marana with the cost of living expenses going up.
“We want people to come onto our campuses and have a welcoming start to the school year and be able to give kids what they need to start the school year. This has been a really challenging last two years, a lot of families are struggling with gas prices being so high, rent, housing, food, everything has increased and so we figure if we are able to provide a little bit of reprieve from that by giving kids the backpacks and school supplies so they can start the school year, we’re able to help them,” said Ruich.
Ruich also said they will be providing rain checks if supplies run out and they will be notifying parents ahead of time so they can call the district to get their rain check.
UPDATE: The district is out of supplies and rain-checks due to widespread interest and need. MUSD families can contact the Family Resource Center for future needs.
1,100 backpacks filled with school supplies distributed to MUSD students and families
BACKPACK & SCHOOL SUPPLY EVENT:
WHERE: Early Learning and Resource Center located at 7651 N. Oldfather Road Tucson, AZ 85741.
WHEN: July 21 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. & July 22 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (canceled)
Click here to learn more
