Christmas in August, established by the Bradenton Kiwanis Club is an annual event that helps provide basic assistance to homeless children, to prepare them for school. The project provides free school backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, toiletry products, medical and dental exams, gift cards to purchase shoes and clothing. This year was their 6th Annual Christmas in August, which took place at Bradenton’s McKechnie Field. We’re proud to show our support for this wonderful project and organization. Some of our staff, led by Andi from the Cortez location, even took part as volunteers!
Pictured above is Manatee Community Foundation’s Executive Director Susie Bowie and Amanda Horne.
According to the Bradenton Herald, The School District of Manatee County has roughly 1,800 students who qualify as homeless. The Every Student Succeeds Act defines homeless students as students who do not have “fixed, regular and adequate housing.” That means students whose families live in motels, “couch surf” or live in housing with multiple other families are classified as homeless, in addition to students whose families live in tents, cars or on the street.
