{ End of Summer Block Party }
Homelessness is a tragedy for anyone, especially families with children. Making ends meet with little or no income means that compromises are a daily occurrence. But the End of Summer Block Party at the Los Angeles Mission takes one compromise away from hundreds of families – school supplies.
About one thousand backpacks full of schools supplies were handed out to grateful kids Saturday. The day was the result of a combined effort by nonprofits, businesses and people who just want to help.
For a decade the Block Party has been a way for kids to play, have fun, win prizes and forget about their circumstances – if for only a day. The Los Angeles Mission has been serving the homeless and poor in the Skid Row area for 75 years. What started as a soup kitchen in the Great Depression in 1934 continues to serve the needy in the great recession of 2011.
Fifth Street, the main street of Skid Row was decorated with bright and colorful tents and inflatable play areas set up for maximum fun. Slides, a dunk tank, face painting, crafts, games and of course backpacks full of school supplies were spread down the street.
“The numbers are startling,” said Herb Smith, President of the Los Angeles Mission. “We have expanded our services to families and children daily, but it is heartbreaking to talk to parents who are trying to keep a family together while struggling to pay rent, buy food and provide all a family needs. Today is just part of the services the Mission provides to help families in economic distress.”
Children from age 4 to 17 got a backpack. Nearly 1,000 backpacks and the school supplies that are so important at this time of year were distributed. Supplies, including pencils, notebooks, crayons, erasers, folders and arts & craft items were donated. The backpacks came from Blessings in a Backpack, a charity started by actress Hilary Duff. Schools supplies were donated by Jackson-Hewitt, Buck Consultants, Landsburg-Amcor and individuals.
“On behalf of Hilary Duff and myself, the importance of allowing these children, our children, to go to school with the proper supplies and knowing that someone cares about them being ready to succeed is very significant,” said Stan Curtis of Blessings in a Backpack. “We are proud of this partnership.”
Celebrity volunteers always come to Los Angeles Mission events. They worked to make sure everyone had a good time, and helped In-N-Out Burger, King Taco and the Los Angeles Mission kitchen crew serve a picnic to the Block party participants and their families. US Foods helped with a variety of food and serving items. And this year there were snow cones provided by volunteers from marketing firm Russ Reid.
Several hundred volunteers from all over the area gave their time – with tens of thousands of hours given by thousands of volunteers each year to the Mission.
We are so looking forward to the next End of Summer Block Party this coming August 25th, 2012. We hope and pray that we can bless even more children who are in need of a great meal, a fun day and much needed school supplies.