Castroville Teen Leadership Council raises $6,000 to take students back-to-school shopping

MARINA, Calif. (KION) With back-to-school season upon us, the Castroville Teen Leadership Council is taking kids shopping for school supplies.

This is the second time the teens have worked with the Castro Plaza Family Resource to put on the event for north county students.

For a grandmother taking care of three kids, the extra $300 to spend was a tremendous help.

"I'm a grandmother and I'm raising my three grandkids and I'm just so grateful that they can have more than I can offer sometimes or they can have what they need and not go without," said Julia Cota.

For a single father of three, he says the event was a Godsend.

"Any help helps. It's like a big weight off my shoulder and it allows me to focus on the things that need to be focused on you know their preparation," said Jermaine Gonzalez, a Prunedale resident.

The event was possible through the Castro Plaza Family Resource Center and the Castroville Teen Leadership Council who have been working on getting this event ready for about a year.

"We saw the need, especially right now. Many of our students and parents were affected by COVID and we realized we needed to do something and we didn't want them to worry about not having clothes or not having shoes," said Catalina Perez, a member of the Castroville Teen Leadership Council.

The kids were accompanied by a volunteer who would help them on their shopping spree and many were excited to go back.

"I feel good about going back to school cause I want to be learning new things and the things that I missed in third grade but I'm just excited to learn again," said Delilah Medrano, an elementary school student.