Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Distributes Free School Supplies to Local Children

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission began distributing free backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need on Thursday morning at 7 a.m. in their Indio parking lot at 47-470 Van Buren St.

More than 50 volunteers prepared over 2,000 backpacks Wednesday evening for the annual Backpack Bonanza event, which aims to distribute supplies to 2,500 low-income children before the new school year begins. Children must be present to receive a backpack.

The initiative addresses significant need in the region, where 31 percent of Coachella Valley children live at or below the poverty level, according to the rescue mission.

"After food and shelter, education for children is a critical factor in helping break the cycle of poverty," said CVRM Executive Amanda Galindo. "We are grateful to help the community fill this need."

The rescue mission, which has operated since 1971, collected donations through boxes placed at more than 100 locations throughout the Coachella Valley, including Chase Bank branches, Augustine Casino, Coachella Valley Volkswagen, and Sun Community Federal Credit Union locations.

To learn more visit cvrm.org