By Terry Miller
On Tuesday families from Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Duarte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena and Temple City received necessary school prep items at no charge during the annual Back to School Distribution at the historic Santa Anita Park Racetrack.
Director of Community Services and Special Projects Peter Siberell said, “Since 2004, Santa Anita Park has been happy to provide a suitable venue to Foothill Unity Center for its annual Back to School Distribution event.
“This terrific organization has provided over 1,100 kindergarten through college students who live in 12 cities in the San Gabriel Valley Foothills with back packs, school supplies, socks, underwear, clothing, shoes, haircuts, manicures and dental, vision and hearing screenings. There is even a college fair in addition to books and information booths.
“What makes this event even more special for us is that 10% to 20% of these students are from families who work with our wonderful horses on the backside at Santa Anita.
“We salute Foothill Unity Center for its important work in the community, and hope to continue to be a partner for many years to come.”
Families who use the services at Foothill Unity Center Inc. (Center) have incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Line and do not have the funds to furnish their children with the items they need to return to school. Consequently, the Center assists these students with brand new backpacks, school supplies, clothing, shoe cards, haircuts, manicures, books, and vision, dental and hearing screenings. There was also a college and Career Pathways area for students and parents.
