The Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank is issuing an appeal for community donations and volunteers as it prepares to outfit a record 888 local students for the upcoming school year through its Backpacks & More 2026 campaign.
The annual program provides registered preschool through eighth-grade students in Avondale, Buckeye, Cashion, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Tolleson with a backpack, school supplies, a pair of shoes, and two school uniforms at no cost to the families.
While student registration for the assistance has closed, organizers say community funding is critical to fulfilling the requests of those who signed up. The drive comes at a challenging time for the nonprofit, which has been stretched thin by a nearly 15% increase in families seeking emergency food assistance over the past year.
