This week we are filled with gratitude. With your help, the Santa Cruz COE, United Way of Santa Cruz County, and our many partners were able to raise more than $32,000 to purchase supplies and backpacks for more than 2,100 students experiencing homelessness and other hardships.
Your generosity continued at our Stuff-At-Thon event this past weekend, where volunteer sign-ups exceeded capacity. We packed those backpacks full of supplies, fit them into a bus – yes, that’s not a metaphor – and brought them back here to the COE for distribution. You can see photos from the event on our Facebook page here.
Most of those backpacks are on their way to the districts and to our nonprofit partners, where they’ll be put in the hands of students. We also distribute these backpacks and supplies directly. If a K-12 student in your life needs these school supplies, we’re here to help. You can connect with your school district contact listed on the table at the bottom of this webpage. For PVUSD students, please contact your Family Engagement Resource Center at 831-786-2384 or wellness@pvusd.net. Any student in need can also reach out directly to our amazing Homeless Services Coordinator Erika Cortes, at ecortes@santacruzcoe.org, who will schedule a pickup time here at the COE.
Thank you to many hands who make Stuff The Bus possible, and to the Santa Cruz Warriors for generously hosting us at Kaiser Permanente Arena. We couldn’t do it without you.
Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
County Superintendent of Schools