Miami’s Matthew 25 Food Pantry in southwest Miami-Dade hosted a back-to-school supply drive, attracting over 1,300 families seeking essential items for the upcoming academic year. The event, organized in collaboration with local organizations, provided free backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and other school materials to students, addressing the growing need for educational resources in the region. The drive began at 8:00 a.m., with families lining up as early as 6:00 a.m. to secure supplies, reflecting strong community engagement. Volunteers, numbering around 50, distributed approximately 2,500 backpacks and related items, funded through donations totaling $75,000 raised over the past two months. The initiative follows a similar event in July that served 1,100 families, indicating a rising demand as the school year approaches on August 18. Additional support came from local businesses, which contributed 300 uniforms and 150 pairs of shoes. The Miami Rescue Mission, a key partner, reported that the drive also included health check-ups for 200 children, conducted by a team of 15 medical volunteers. City officials praised the effort, noting it supports over 10,000 students annually across Miami-Dade County. Plans are underway for a follow-up event in mid-August to ensure all students are equipped before classes begin.
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