South County Outreach Collects School Supplies for Needy Schoolchildren

Families struggling with unemployment and foreclosure means some schoolchildren will return to the classroom in the coming days without such basics as pencils and paper.

To allieviate some financial back-to-school struggles, is accepting donations of backpacks and other school supplies through Aug. 31.

The organization, which, among its homelessness prevention efforts, runs a food pantry on Vista Terrace, will distribute the donations to families the organization supports just in time .

“Despite early signs of economic recovery, many are still suffering,” said , executive director of South County Outreach. “While parents struggle with unemployment and foreclosures, their children deal with the stigma of arriving at school unprepared. We’re helping to normalize their back-to-school experience through the program.”

South County Outreach has received 1,276 so far from the community this year.  

A Lake Forest computer repair company is among those helping out the organization by offering deals for donated school supplies.

Orange County Computer, at 21092 Bake Parkway, is offering $10 off back-to-school computer repair for customers who bring in at least three items from the list provided by South County Outreach of the back-to-school items needed. (The list is included in the photos to the right.)

Donations of supplies to far have come from individuals and groups including: Thrivent Financial, Tijeras Creek Elementary School, Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church,, Moms Club of Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods Democratic Club, Grace Community Church, Park Terrace, One Source Industries, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Assistance League of Saddleback Valley and CoolPencilCase.com.

The Tarsadia Foundation alone donated 810 backpacks filled with school supplies.

“We support many service organizations through our foundation,” said Shirish Dayal, executive director of Newport Beach-based Tarsadia Foundation, “however, providing for projects like South County Outreach’s Backpack and School Supply Program, which is focused on children, is particularly gratifying.”

Donations are being accepted at South County Outreach, at 26776 Vista Terrace in Lake Forest, through the end of the month.