Approximately 250 students received backpacks during an annual back to school distribution organized by City National Bank and L.A. Family Housing. (photo courtesy of City National Bank)

City National Bank, L.A. Family Housing and the office of Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, 7th District, distributed backpacks on Aug. 6 to children experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County.

“L.A. Family Housing provides an invaluable service to our communities by connecting housing and critical resources to families experiencing homelessness, including nearly a thousand school-aged children,” said Peyman Salehi, senior vice president and regional manager in private banking at City National Bank and a member of the LAFH Board of Directors. “Supporting our community is part of who we are at City National Bank, and we are honored to work with L.A. Family Housing to make sure students enrolled in their programs have the supplies and resources they need to succeed in school.”

City National Bank and LAFH distributed backpacks to approximately 250 students. Other event supporters and partners included the Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles Public Library, School on Wheels and Head Start. Students also received clothing and shoes. LAUSD representatives helped students register for school.

“After more than a year of virtual learning, the return to the classroom is a big deal. With this support from City National Bank, we’re thrilled that the children of LAFH will be going back to school in style,” said Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, president and CEO of L.A. Family Housing. “These backpacks make a big difference for these students and their families because they send a message that we are here for them and rooting for them to succeed.”

The organizers said more students than ever are living in shelters, motels, cars and on the streets. In 2019, more than 17,000 students enrolled in public schools in Los Angeles were experiencing homelessness, according to a report from the LAUSD.

“Students experiencing homelessness face greater barriers to academic success, further exacerbated by the pandemic,” Rodriguez added. “With in class learning resuming after more than a year of zoom, these new backpacks and supplies will help students go back to school ready for a fresh start.”

For information, visit cnb.com and lafh.org.