Backpacks, School Supplies Distributed Among La Feria Students

photos and story by Tony Vindell/LFN

Hundreds of backpacks and other school supplies were distributed among students attending La Feria Schools.
The giveaway took place during National Night Out held Thursday, Aug. 9 at the city’s Recreation Center on West Pancho Maples Drive.

A total of 500 colorful and mesh backpacks were handed out to students and parents many of whom left at the end of the two-hour event that drew dozen of participants.

Blanca Avalos, who brought her two children to the event, said the backpacks are a big help for her.

“This is pretty good,” she said, “and were are thankful for this.”

Iris Flores and Erica Lozano both said this was their first time at the Night Out.

Flores came with her son and Lozano showed up with two children.

They got the backpacks after forming a line as city people and volunteers handed them out until the last one was gone.

The backpacks giveaway is hosted by the city but more than a dozen sponsors participated.

Among them were the La Feria, San Benito and Mercedes Police departments, Cameron County District Attorney’s Office and Public Health Departments, Su Clinica, Family Crisis Center of Harlingen, several financial, home health and rehabilitation companies and the U.S. Border Patrol.

BP agents Tony Ibarra and Daniel Martinez said they were there to provide information about job possibilities with the federal agency and to alert people about the consequences of smuggling people or drugs.

“We go to area schools to talk about this,” Ibarra said. “We have been at some of the schools here in La Feria and will probably go again this year.”

He said some young adults might believe that smuggling is easy money, but they don’t realize the consequences this will bring to them.