Last year, over 3,000 students in Denver were homeless. This year Volunteers made sure some of those students experiencing homelessness were able to head back to school with the supplies they need. The Volunteers of America Guild, an auxiliary volunteer group, hosted a Back to School Barbecue Saturday August 13, outfitting more than 75 homeless students with the supplies they need for the coming school year.
“There are so many anxieties surrounding that first day back at school and having the right supplies doesn’t need to one of them. With their families in crisis and without a home, these students are dealing with so much already and we are grateful volunteers have stepped up to alleviate their burdens and set them up for success,” Dianna Kunz, President and CEO of Volunteers of America, said.
Every child received a backpack and families were able to pick out the additional supplies they needed. They event concluded with a barbecue, face painting, and family friendly activities in the courtyard. Most of the families who attended the event are currently residing at Volunteers of America’s Family Motel, an overnight shelter on west Colfax that allows families to stay together in a private room.
The Volunteers of America Guild has worked to collect school supplies from individual donors and local companies. Sponsors include The Integer Group, CH2M, Melly Kinnard, Dianne Zarlengo and Shamrock Foods.