Operation School Bell

No one likes to wear their poverty. For many impoverished children, attending school is painful and so they drop out. Others attend irregularly, or never enroll because their parents can’t afford even the most basic necessities such as shoes and socks.

Operation School Bell (“OSB”) helps children get to school and stay in school. We know that education is the best defense against poverty, illiteracy, substance abuse, and crime.

Schools and organizations identify those children in greatest need and bring them to the Operation School Bell Program. The program is run by our Anne Banning Auxiliary member volunteers who welcome each child and outfit them with new school clothing, grooming products, a backpack, sneakers, school supplies, a book, and a small toy or board game.

Children come away with more than new items. They leave with a sense of joy, heightened self-esteem, and hope for the future.

We understand that a child’s needs don’t stop at the 5th grade therefore this year we are piloting an emergency closet program for our Middle School and High School students!

Through this program, OSB provides an assortment of clothing, underwear, socks, hoodies, blankets, towels, and miscellaneous grooming supplies to be on hand at student support offices so that underserved youth can choose the item or items they need most!

OSB was even lucky enough to provide skateboards to extremely grateful and excited youth! As many students live outside the radius for free LAUSD transportation, “anything with wheels” as one counselor put it, can make the difference in student attending class.