LAUP back-to-school event draws 1,500 residents, hands out over 900 backpacks in Holland
More than 1,500 residents gathered at the Latin Americans United for Progress headquarters on Friday, Aug. 14, for the nonprofit’s annual Back to School event, where volunteers distributed over 900 backpacks alongside school supplies and clothing.
HOLLAND — More than 1,500 residents gathered at the Latin Americans United for Progress headquarters on Friday, Aug. 14, for the nonprofit’s annual Back to School event, where volunteers distributed over 900 backpacks alongside school supplies and clothing.
More than 1,500 residents gathered at the Latin Americans United for Progress headquarters on Friday, Aug. 14, for the nonprofit’s annual Back to School event, where volunteers distributed over 900 backpacks alongside school supplies and clothing. [Courtesy]
This year’s drive shifted directly to LAUP’s facility to centralize resources — including a pop-up clothing shop, refreshments, and community services — into a single location for attending families.
“Bringing the event directly to our facility allowed us to create a space where people could not only receive the resources they needed for the school year, but also experience LAUP firsthand,” said Alejandra Guillén, executive director of LAUP.
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Partnering with Inclusive Ottawa County, the event’s pop-up shop provided free clothing to attendees, with organizers estimating nearly half of all visitors departed with a bag of apparel.
While the event successfully handed out the bulk of its donated inventory, roughly 100 backpacks remain available on a first-come, first-served basis. Families still in need of school supplies are encouraged to contact the LAUP office directly while supplies last.
— Submitted by Latin Americans United for Progress. To submit a news tip, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
