As students across Texas get ready for a new school year, Buckner International is working in several communities to make sure families have what they need. Through local events and collaborations, Buckner is providing backpacks, school supplies, shoes, and access to services that ease the back-to-school burden for many families.

In the Rio Grande Valley, the Buckner Family Hope Center at Donna held a major distribution event. More than 800 backpacks and pairs of shoes were given to children from Donna, Alamo, and San Juan. Criselda Cuevas, executive director, emphasized the impact of the event. “We are so honored and blessed to be able to support events like these in our community. The communities where we serve are predominantly low-income families. The distribution of backpacks, school supplies, and shoes assists families who otherwise might not have the resources to provide these needed supplies to their children,” Cuevas stated.

The event was a joint effort involving more than 25 local organizations and agencies. These organizations offered not just school supplies, but also shared information about community resources. Volunteers from businesses and churches contributed to the event, offering their time and energy to serve families.

In East Texas, Buckner Longview continues to lead one of the largest annual back-to-school events in the area. The School Supply Train, held the first weekend of August, has been a local tradition for almost 30 years. Shelly Smith, Executive Director in Longview, said the event is a collaborative effort – including contributions from several groups who take ownership of making sure the children in East Texas have what they need to succeed educationally.

“We give out 1,800 backpacks, 1,900 pairs of shoes, uniforms, haircuts, eye exams, etc.” Smith said. “We have local school districts there to help with registration issues, local agencies who provide resources, and the health department does immunizations. This event provides all the resources that a family would need for back to school in one convenient location.”

The preparation and execution of the event involves over 200 volunteers. Many of them assist children in selecting shoes and navigating the building to take advantage of the services. “This event is a true showing of volunteers being the hands and feet of Jesus,” Smith said.

Other Buckner communities across Texas, including Beaumont, Lubbock, Houston and Dallas, are also hosting back-to-school initiatives. These events vary in size but share the same goal, to ease the financial load on parents and make sure children begin the year equipped and encouraged. Whether it’s a donated backpack or a warm smile from a volunteer, the effort speaks volumes about what it means to serve one another with compassion and purpose.

These efforts reflect Buckner’s broader mission of strengthening families through community-based services. By meeting practical needs, the organization helps relieve pressure on parents and allows children to focus on learning and growing in school.

Scripture reminds us of the importance of serving others, especially children and those in need. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

As the new school year begins, Buckner continues to stand alongside our Texas communities, empowering children and giving families one less thing to worry about. Whether it’s a backpack, a new pair of shoes, or a simple haircut, these small acts of service make a big difference. Through collaboration and volunteer efforts, these programs continue to grow, ensuring more kids have what they need to thrive in the classroom.

Written by Nik Holman, multimedia manager, Buckner International

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