PHOENIX — At 12News, we love giving back to our community so we've partnered with our parent company, TEGNA, to create the TEGNA Foundation Grant.
These grants are given to organizations in the community that make a difference every day, like Operation School Bell. The non-profit is the proud recipient of a $5,000 grant to help more than 140 students living in poverty. The group provides everything from brand-new clothes to everyday essentials.
Aimee Runyon, CEO of the Assistance League of Phoenix, shared the impact of the program and how the funds directly help students in Title 1 schools across the valley.
"For these kids to get a brand-new pair of shoes, it means the world," Runyon said.
Runyon told 12News that the items at the warehouse are all bought in bulk and are up to date on styles and items the kids need, so they feel comfortable and ready to succeed in the classroom. The three different "delivering dreams" buses are outfitted so that all the clothing and products are prepared for when the kids come aboard to get fitted for new threads and shoes--true basics no child should go without.
"Inside it looks like a clothing store, so they get to pick out clothes, try them on to make sure they fit, then they also get a hygiene kit," Runyon said. "You'd be surprised how many children in our community don't have their own toothbrushes."
The program serves 17 districts with uniformed and casual clothing for students from 136 Title 1 schools in the Valley.
"From just the schools that we serve, there's 136,000 students that qualify for our program, we want kids to feel their best. Part of the program is to help them fit in," Runyon said. "We know so many kids get bullied because of what they wear."
The items aren't hand-me-downs, which helps the kids fit in and feel confident. This is a mission Runyon is moved by every single time.
"We're so happy and proud to be a recipient and we just want to be able to help more kids."
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