BARSTOW, Calif. — Over 800 families attended the Barstow Optimist Club’s 8th Annual Barstow Backpack Giveaway.
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians provided a $5,000 contribution to expand the reach of the event to 1,600 backpacks and school supplies for Barstow students.
The Barstow community gathered at Barstow High School for the back-to-school event. The event was organized and supported by several community partners to help students K – 12 prepare for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
Barstow Optimist Club is determined to inspire students in their educational journeys. Each year, the Club works diligently to secure meaningful partnerships to increase the number of backpacks given out at the event. In 2023, 730 students received backpacks.
San Manuel is proud to support this initiative to lift students who dwell in Serrano ancestral territory.
About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic and cultural development. As the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains and high deserts, the Serrano people of San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region. For more information, visithttp://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov
About the Optimist Club
Since Barstow Optimist Club was chartered on March 12, 1959, the Club supports children in the community. Barstow Optimist Club donates more than $10,000 every year to various clubs, sports and organizations with the same mindset of giving back to Barstow youth.
