ALLIANCE CU combines efforts with local businesses to fill 100 backpacks

Matt Grannan, president/CEO of ALLIANCE Credit Union, stuffs backpacks for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students involved in Communities in Schools South Plains.

ALLIANCE Credit Union in Lubbock, Texas, worked with community partners HB Construction and Officewise to purchase 100 backpacks and raised $2,000. The backpacks were filled with school supplies and donated to students involved in Communities in Schools South Plains, entering sixth, seventh, and eighth grade.

With most families living below the poverty line, many students start school without the necessary supplies. If teachers are unable to provide these items, students end up relying on the few who brought supplies.

“Many students already have to worry about their next meal or lack of clothing,” said Marketing Manager Abbie Jones. “The lack of school supplies should not be an added stress. If children have what they need, they can start school in an equal-opportunity learning environment, building a foundation of success.”

Pictured from left are Amy Hughes of HB Construction, Susan Stewart of Communities in Schools South Plains, Danielle Uranga of Communities in Schools South Plains, Abbie Jones of ALLIANCE Credit Union, Amanda Vieregge of Communities in Schools South Plains, and Melissa Goode of Officewise.

She added, “We felt that it was a huge success, especially given that this is our first year putting it on. We are hopeful that next year will be even better. In addition to raising the funds and providing 100 students with backpacks, we gained attention from all three of our local television news outlets as well as several radio and print media groups.”

Employees with all three organizations, along with representatives from Communities in Schools, stuffed the backpacks, which were delivered to Communities in Schools for Communities in Schools South Plains for distribution.

The mission of Communities in Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. For more information visit ALLIANCE CU’s website.