500 Backpacks and Supplies Distributed at South El Monte National Night Out Event

SOUTH EL MONTE, Calif. – Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) joined with the City of South El Monte to distribute 500 backpacks and essential school supplies to local students at the city’s National Night Out event. The partnership supports families across the San Gabriel Valley and helps ensure local kids start the new school year ready to succeed.

“Back‑to‑school season can be stressful for families, especially when budgets are tight,” said Senator Rubio. “As a classroom teacher, I saw firsthand the difference it makes when students start the year prepared. By helping students with essentials, we’re making sure no one has to choose between putting food on the table and making sure their child has everything they need to learn.”

Preparing Students for Success

According to a Deloitte forecast, families are expected to spend more than $550 on back-to-school shopping this year, a cost that creates real challenges for many households. As an educator for nearly two decades, Senator Rubio has seen firsthand how preparation impacts a student’s confidence and performance. 

Senator Rubio provided school supplies, and the City of South El Monte provided backpacks so families could pick up everything their students need in one place. Together, the partnership helped take some of the pressure off parents and made sure kids could walk into the first day of school feeling ready and supported.

National Night Out, first launched in 1984 to strengthen relationships between communities and law enforcement, now serves as a nationwide evening of safety, connection, and neighborhood pride. South El Monte’s celebration provided an ideal platform to connect with families ahead of the first day of school.

Continued Commitment to Education

The South El Monte school supply distribution is part of Senator Rubio’s broader focus on supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. That includes important legislation like SB 488, which took effect this year and improves how teachers are trained to teach reading. Rubio also authored SB 531, which would bring age-appropriate mental health education to all grade levels in California.

For more information on upcoming community events or assistance programs, visit the website of Senator Susan Rubio at senate.ca.gov/rubio.

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