A Parable of Backpacks and Shoes

Do you remember the building anxiety and growing excitement as the summer days of August drew to a close and the undeniable return to school loomed ever closer? Parents celebrated, knowing that the firm hand of the parish nuns would now take over the education of their children. The kids, reluctantly, gave in to the anticipated change from carefree summer play to the prospect of early rising, rigors of the classroom and the dreaded homework. Things haven’t changed a whole lot today except that parish nuns are no longer the backbone of a Catholic education. 

Catholic Charities workers know how important it is for students to be ready for school, to feel capable of achieving good grades and to value their education. Our client families, however, face the likelihood that their children may have to start school deprived of basic school supplies and dressed in hand me down and worn clothes. This sets the stage for an unhappy beginning and a feeling of being less than others.

The members of the “Loaves and Fishes” of St. Jude Parish in Westlake Village understand the needs of these kids as the start of school approached. They provided enough backpacks filled with school supplies to take care of 400 needy children from Moorpark, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Ventura. 

Jackie and John Treuting have led the “Loaves and Fishes” back-to-school program for several years and are thrilled that their efforts mean so much to these kids. Jackie and John joined Patricia Calderon, Moorpark Program Coordinator, at Kohl’s Department Store to enjoy the kids and add their contribution to 100 needy children, who received a new pair of shoes for the first day of school. Patricia used gift cards, donated by a number of donors, to get these kids off on the right foot.

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