Bus stuffed for kids

Assemblymember Rudy Salas hosted a back-to-school Stuff the Bus event in Wasco on Friday morning, helping local school children get prepared for the upcoming school year. The event was held in the Walmart parking lot and residents were invited from 9 a.m. to noon to donate backpacks, pencils, paper, binders and other school supplies that students will need.

In partnership with the Wasco Union Elementary School District, Walmart and VFW Post 6742, Salas and a host of community members collected the supplies that will go directly to Wasco's students attending the elementary and junior high schools in the Wasco Union School District.

Members of the Wasco City Council were on hand, as well as a number of volunteers from different organizations to aid in the collection and packing of the items. A school bus was filled with the collections, which will be distributed before the school year begins to area students.

"I think this event is such a blessing to the kids and the whole community really," said Alexis Martinez, a mother of two who says that it is a challenge to outfit her kids with all they are going to need for the school year. "By the time you buy school clothes, shoes, backpacks, paper and pencils, it can get really expensive. This is awesome to help the families and kids out like this."

"By working together, we were able to provide a lot of students in Wasco with supplies that are essential to be successful in school," Salas said.

The annual event is one of many Stuff the Bus events Salas and his staff hold throughout the 32nd Assembly District. They partner with the cities' local organizations and schools, giving the kids a great head start to the school year. "When our students succeed, it benefits the entire community," he said.

Salas thanked the families and people who helped make the event such a success and for their generosity in giving back to the community to make a difference for young students.