3,200 Children Receive School Supplies in Innovative Drive-Thru Model

Since July 30th, Brother Bill’s Helping Hand has served 3,200 children with free back-to-school supplies! The drive-thru Back-to-School event was an adaptation of the annual Back-to-School Bash, with a line of cars that stretched nearly a mile down the road. As West Dallas and Oak Cliff neighbors face increased needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to provide the essentials of life with an innovative drive-thru model.

As cars approached the drive-thru station on BBHH’s campus, kids leaned out of car windows to greet smiling volunteers and receive a backpack full of school supplies, masks, hand sanitizer, hygiene items, emotional support resources, community resource information, devotionals, and Gatorade. Their families also received fresh produce, milk, and grilled cheese sandwiches from Ruthie’s Rolling Food Truck! These backpacks will be carried into public schools across the city in just a few weeks, as children and their parents adapt to the decisions of Dallas ISD during a global pandemic. BBHH hopes to push back against the “COVID-19 slide,” which combines the typical summer learning loss with the concerning effects of pandemic school closures. Although there are still many unknown factors for this coming school year, we want our kids to know that they are loved, smart, and valuable, and that learning is fun!

One highlight was when a neighbor, who is now working and no longer needing BBHH’s services, took the initiative to purchase and donate 100 brand new backpacks to be distributed. She was honored to now be able help others just as others helped her when she was in need.

Wes Keyes, Executive Director, shares,

“At Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, we know that the 2020-2021 school year is going to be quite different for the students of West Dallas and Oak Cliff. We are doing our best to make sure that we remove any roadblocks for the education of these children. As we take into consideration our neighbors’ health, we are utilizing our drive-thru model for the back-to-school event. We will serve over 3,200 children this year, up from 1,300 children last year.”

This event was made possible by the Dallas Mavericks, City of Dallas, Dallas Morning News, DART, Dallas Police Department, Ruthie’s Rolling Food Truck, National Charity League, Young Men’s Service League, The Center Counseling, Kits for Kidz, WIC, Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic, Direct Relief, and our outstanding volunteers!