Program Description:

The primary objective of Operation School Bell (OSB) is to provide clothing and shoes to students from low-income families. A secondary aim of the program is to create a family-centric experience that provides a learning opportunity for managing and maximizing the purchasing potential of available shopping dollars.

Results:

The RSF Women’s Fund grant funds allowed many additional children to go shopping at Target, Encinitas for new school clothes. The 2022-2023 program was funded through a combination of sources (including the RSFWF grant), Assistance League Thrift Shop revenues, and private donations. In total, $87,577.07 was collected for this effort, (exceeding the proposed budget of $86,000). In total, 875 children participated in this year’s program, each receiving $100 to spend. The number of children benefitting from this program is determined solely by the total available funding. Therefore, the $15,000 received from the RSF Women’s Fund clothed 150 children and increased their confidence and sense of. Belonging in an academic environment.

Future Plans:

To address increasing retail costs, the amount per child will be increased from $100 to $120. Assistance League Rancho San Dieguito will continue to prioritize their philanthropic dollars to support this program and will seek additional grant funding/financial contributions to support the same (or ideally greater) number of children in next year’s shopping experience.