This year, 150 local children across San Francisco started school with the tools they need to learn and thrive—all thanks to you.
Children across San Francisco are settling back into their classes for the Fall term ready to learn. However, for some, the school year began at a disadvantage, lacking the necessary supplies, which left them feeling unprepared and left behind.
For families balancing tight budgets, the cost of school supplies can become one more strain at the end of the summer holidays. That’s why we appreciate everyone who contributed to our backpack drive, enabling 150 local children to start the school year with the tools they need to learn and thrive, creating educational equity in our community.
Safe & Sound works with families living in the most vulnerable conditions. Over 99% of the families we serve fall below federal poverty guidelines, with 90% categorized as extremely low-income. Most families we work with have 1-2 children under the age of 12, which means they need new clothes, shoes, and supplies each school year. And nearly 20% of the families face homelessness or insecure housing, making creating a stable school experience for the children all the more important. Providing concrete supports—like school supplies—not only relieves financial stress for hard working parents but increases resilience, and helps families focus on what matters most: their children’s success.
A backpack filled with new school supplies like stationery and water bottles may seem small—but for the 150 children who came to collect their supplies, it was a powerful source of pride, motivation, and joy.
A backpack is more than a school item for kids—it symbolizes belonging, confidence, and possibility. Thank you for bringing that to 150 children this year.
