Redlands Unified, Community partners distribute essentials to families

REDLANDS, Calif. — In a show of community support ahead of spring break, the Redlands Unified School District's Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department teamed up with the Redlands Education Support Professionals Association (RESPA) and Feeding America to distribute snack packs, hygienic items, and fresh produce to local families.

RESPA President Liz Huerta-Brewster said the spring outreach aimed to respond to current economic pressures faced by families.

“RESPA prides itself on giving back to the community,” Huerta-Brewster said in a March 26 news release from Redlands Unified School District. “Typically, during spring, RESPA collects canned goods, but we wanted to do something different. Times are tough and prices have increased for essential items. We felt the community could benefit from hygienic items along with the snack packs and produce.”

The district invited staff across campuses and departments to contribute to the drive. Redlands U-Haul donated small moving boxes to help collect items, resulting in over 500 travel-size and full-size hygiene products gathered. Items distributed included shampoo, conditioner, diapers, baby wipes, loofahs, socks and other necessities.

Volunteers from Redlands East Valley High School’s Black Student Union (BSU) Step Team, Redlands High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC, San Bernardino Valley College’s Umoja program, and the District African American Parent Advisory Council (DAAPAC) cabinet helped organize and distribute the donations.

“We will continue with this partnership and serve our community,” Huerta-Brewster said.

Photos from the event are available at this gallery.

This article was written based on a press release provided by Redlands Unified School District.