SALT LAKE CITY -- Some families in need got a little bit of a break on Thursday.
Hundreds of back-to-school items were donated to more than 100 children at the Salt Lake City Road Home Shelter for the new school year. There were more than 2,100 donations from local businesses. Payless ShoeSource, Salt Lake area Staples, Intrepid, Old Navy, DownEast, and Helping Hands moving company helped move the items into the shelter.
“I think that it’s really nice of these people when kids don’t have much stuff they give it to us and I think it’s really sweet of them to do that for us,” said Nachayla Johnson.
Nachayla is going into 6th grade and her little sister Carlee will enter kindergarten.
“My kids haven’t had shoes, but now we got some,” said their mother, Nichelle Hanks. “It means everything. We have been struggling so much just with everything, employment finding housing and taking care of the girls; it’s been a big struggle being here. But I am grateful we could participate."
Hanks choked back some tears. She said their struggles have kept her from affording what her daughters need just to get by.
The Apple Tree program was also able to donate $800 in gift cards for children who will be moving into the shelter so they can purchase new items for the year.
The families all shared the same message.
“Thank you,” said five-year-old Carlee Johnson.
To donate to the Road Home shelter, go to: www.theroadhomeappletree.com
