Sunnyvale Community Services helps students get ready to learn

Program provides school supplies, backpacks to local low-income children.

Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS) staff and volunteers are set to serve 2,500 children and their families via the Ready-to-Learn program.  From July 29-Aug. 4, new backpacks filled with age- and grade-appropriate school supplies will be available for pickup at SCS’ backpack center, located at 1160 Kern Ave.

Every summer since 1995, SCS has helped local low-income children, including unhoused students, with essential school supplies and backpacks as families prepare for the new school year. Children and their families register in advance with SCS to come pick up their school supplies.

This year, 2,500 children will be paired with a volunteer, and together they will “shop” for a backpack to ensure each child is able to make the most use of the items it contains.

Community groups and local businesses that held drives to collect backpacks and supplies and made program grants include Amazon, Juniper Networks, Macy’s, PG&E, Sydney Paige Foundation, 23andMe, Rotary Club of Sunnyvale and the SCS Auxiliary.

Sunnyvale children make up 22% of the population but represent 35% of SCS clients.

“For children to be successful academically, they need to have the appropriate supplies required for their educational success,” SCS Executive Director Marie Bernard said in a release. “With the rising cost of living, we anticipate the 2024 school year will be challenging for many families who are struggling financially and have limited funds for essential school supplies and new backpacks. Ready-to-Learn aims to offset some of these costs and ensure that students have what they need for a successful school year.”