Schools Stock Up on Free Supplies
Mindful of the full cupboards needed for the upcoming school year, a handful of Valley schools took advantage of a city-sponsored event that allowed them to stock up for free.
Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer arranged a “Back-to-School Shopping Day” for 17 5th Council District schools at the headquarters of L.A. SHARES in Los Feliz. Two representatives of each school perused items ranging from pencils and paper clips to gym uniforms, furniture and computers. All came from corporate and individual donations.
“There’s great stuff here,” said Bruce Takashima, a fifth-grade teacher at Dixie Canyon Elementary School in Sherman Oaks. “We’re finding things that a lot of schools don’t have the money for.”
Although Thursday’s event was a special promotion, L.A. SHARES allows qualifying schools to visit its warehouse once a month. Established in 1993, the independent, nonprofit group has given away more than $10 million worth of goods to more than 2,500 organizations throughout Los Angeles County.
As Takashima took a break from his morning shopping, he marveled at items donated by AT&T;, Home Depot, Sony Pictures and Nordstrom.
“I’m really here looking for the whole school,” he said, “but I did spy a couple of things for my classroom.”
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
