Project Ready-to-Learn Brings Full Backpacks, High Hopes to Students

Alan WangNews Releases

Annual Backpack Drive Kicks Off in Contra Costa County July 15 to August 9

MARTINEZ, Calif. (June 26, 2019) – The average family spends more than $700 each year on backpacks, school supplies, and new clothes for their children. Many low-income families are struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford these back-to-school expenses. Thousands of children enter schools throughout Contra Costa County every year ready to learn, but without all the needed resources to help them get the most out of their educational experience. To help these students prepare for the school year, Volunteer Emergency Services Team in Action (VESTIA) is launchingits 2019 Project Ready-to-Learn backpack drive on Monday, July 15, with the call for new, filled backpacks continuing through Friday, August 9.

Project Ready-to-Learn is a collaboration between the nonprofit VESTIA, and Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD). Together they provide more than 1,500 NEW backpacks filled with school supplies to students in need. This effort not only helps them learn, but provides relief for their parents who are struggling to financially support their children’s school needs.

Two Ways to Donate a Stuffed Backpack

1) Online purchase of filled backpacks

Through VESTIA’s partnership with the Sydney Paige Foundation, donors can conveniently shop online for a new backpack and supplies from one source. Listed by grade levels, the site allows you to choose the backpack and corresponding supplies. Delivery can be directly to VESTIA or to the donor.  For more information, or to place an order, go to https://sydneypaige.roonga.com/vestia.

Through VESTIA’s partnership with the Sydney Paige Foundation, donors can conveniently shop online for a new backpack and supplies from one source. Listed by grade levels, the site allows you to choose the backpack and corresponding supplies. Delivery can be directly to VESTIA or to the donor.  For more information, or to place an order, go to https://sydneypaige.roonga.com/vestia.

2) DIY stuff a backpack

Community members can shop, stuff, and deliver a NEW, high-quality backpack filled with new school supplies themselves in order to donate. A supply list by grade level is available on the VESTIA website at https://vestiainc.org/project-ready-to-learn/.  You can drop off stuffed backpacks between Monday, July 15, and Friday, August 9, at one of the following locations:

Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union
1051 Detroit Ave., Suite A
Concord
(9 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F / 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat.)

Kaiperm Diablo Federal Credit Union
325 North Wiget Lane, Suite 130
Walnut Creek
(8 a.m. to 4 p.m., M-F)

Kaiperm Diablo Federal Credit Union
1600 South Main St., Ground Floor
Walnut Creek
(8 a.m. to 4 p.m., M-F)

Rakestraw Books
3 Railroad Avenue
Danville
(9 a.m. to 6 p.m., M-F / 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., Sat./ 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,Sun.)

CC County Employment & Human Services Department
Pleasant Hill office*
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., M-Th
*call to schedule delivery (925) 521-5064

About Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department The Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) partners with the community to deliver quality services to ensure access to resources that support, protect, and empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency.  Based on the core values of delivering an exceptional customer experience, encouraging open communication, embracing change, practicing ethical behavior, and embracing diversity, EHSD envisions Contra Costa County will continue to be a thriving community where all individuals and families can be healthy, safe, secure and self-sufficient.