Families received up to two free backpacks, thanks to Castle Family Health Centers.
Atwater High School students from Key Club helped pass out popsicles to families waiting in line.
First 5 of Merced County joined in the spirit of giving and provided backpacks for younger kids.
Excited students were eager to start exploring their brand new backpacks.
Castle Family Health Centers employees showed up in droves to volunteer their time for the backpack giveaway.
The line was long, but families stayed cool with water and popsicles as they waited their turn to receive free backpacks.
Castle Family Health Centers returned this summer with yet another backpack giveaway for local elementary students. The annual event provides a hub for families to get supplies and information they need to be best prepared for the upcoming school year that starts in August. While Castle runs the event, a number of other local agencies and resources were present to provide information and goodies to attendees.
“We look at it as our way of giving back to the community, and saying thank you to them for utilizing our services, our doctors,” said Peter Mojarras, the COO of Castle Family Health Centers. “We know inflation has been affecting so many families, so with the inflation that many people are experiencing, we at Castle want to be able to let the community know we’re here for them. It makes a difference for some families. It allows them to maybe put that money towards other things and their family’s needs, and if we can provide them a backpack through all of our efforts that we have here with our staff, I think this is our mission as a community health center. Our mission is not just to provide health care, but also to look at the total family needs in our community.”
Castle was ready with 500 backpacks to disperse to local school age students. In addition, First 5 of Merced County brought backpacks to give to younger children who were present with their families. Along with the supplies provided by Castle, the Merced County Food Bank donated sealed food boxes to give to families.
Even clubs from local schools come out to help with the event. Members of Atwater High School’s Key Club passed out cold waters and popsicles to families as they waited in line.
Castle Family Health Centers serves 31,000 members of the community, and one of the goals of their annual backpack giveaway is to give information about services they have available.
“We’re also encouraging families to bring their kids and get immunized and get their flu shot early on so they’re ready for the school year,” said Mojarras. “If they don’t get their immunizations obviously those children potentially are going to put themselves at risk for some medical conditions. Even the flu can be a really serious thing. And COVID has not gone away…we want these kids to be ready for the school year so they can play sports, have fun in their school activities and be healthy so they’re not home with the flu. That’s why we want to do this.”
Most of the staff present during the backpack giveaway are volunteers, many who come back year after year to continue participating in the event because of the joy they get from taking part. Mojarras reflected on one girl who had been particularly excited to receive a Lilo and Stitch backpack.
“The smile that the little girl had, and their parents being so happy, I think that alone makes it all worth the heat out here,” said Mojarras. “We see the kids smile and being so thankful, and I think it goes a long way for our staff and those that are here with us or volunteering or working.”