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The Kiwanis Club of Homestead-South Dade, joined by a variety of organizations and local elected officials, supplied free backpacks — stuffed with a wide assortment of school supplies — to more than 500 youngsters at various recent events throughout Homestead.
The first of several school supplies distribution events, presented by Homestead Councilmember Erica G. Ávila, were held at the Waterstone Bay Clubhouse and Villas at Carmel Community, one of the largest communities in her district.
“Inflation has hurt everyone, particularly families with kids,” said Ávila, former president of the Kiwanis Club of Homestead-South Dade. “Many families in this middle-class neighborhood have seen their rents spike, so anything we can do to help relieve some of that burden by providing school supplies really helps them out.”
In addition to Kiwanis, other sponsoring organizations included This Is For The Kids Inc., Citrus Family Care Network, Women’s Club of Homestead, Parenteen Moments, Together for Children, and Pray In Pink.
The sponsoring organizations created a “pop-up” store at each location, giving recipients a “shopping bag” supplied by Hilson Roofing. The kids then visited several tables to pick up a variety of supplies, including a Kiwanis-sponsored backpack filled with a pencil pouch/pencils, erasers, glue stick, pens, highlighter, pencil sharpener, ruler, spiral notebook, folder, composition book, crayons, art kit and free books.
Also supporting the event were State Rep. Kevin Chambliss as well as Homestead Council members Jenifer Bailey, Larry Roth and Sean Fletcher who generously donated supplies.
“These events are perfect examples of the Homestead community coming together to support each other,” Councilmember Ávila said.