800 backpacks filled with school supplies donated during the Back 2 School Jamboree

SAN ANTONIO – August generally marks the end of summer vacation and the start of the school year for many students of all ages.

This means parents will have to fork out some cash to buy school supplies, but it’s an expense some families really can’t afford.

Fortunately, when there is a need, the community never fails to step in and help.

Community organizers from the Claude W. Black Community Center held their 16th Back 2 School Jamboree on Saturday.

The event distributed 800 backpacks full of school supplies needed to get the school year off to a good start.

Burnell White, president of Desert of Texas a Charitable Foundation, said the event is about giving back to the community and supporting those in need.

“We can’t forget where we came from… So we know there are challenges in our community and the greatest reward we get is when we interact with the youth of today to let them know what is happening. “There are people who are here to support them through any challenges they may face, not just them, but their parents, the educators in our community,” White said.

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White says the back-to-school gift means more to the kids than just getting school supplies. He says it has been a rewarding opportunity to witness the positive impact it has had on the students.

“It allows us to keep our feet on the ground. This allows us to understand that these children need us through no fault of their own and, in many cases, of their parents. There are economic situations out there, and we should just go out and help them, ”White said.

The center plans to continue the hard-hitting tradition and says it will help families next year as well.

“We want to keep doing these things. We want to continue to collaborate. We want to keep letting our community know that we’re here, you know, making bags of books, school supplies, whatever we need in the community. We just want to make sure people understand that we are there to help them with any challenges that come up, ”White said.

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The center welcomed families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in accordance with COVID-19 protocol and security guidelines.

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