ICYMI: Somos Votantes Brings Back-to-School Giveaways to Thousands of Families Across Four States
Multi-state backpack giveaway events reach thousands of hardworking families amid rising costs of schools supplies
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Throughout August, Somos Votantes delivered on its commitment to hardworking families by distributing more than 2,800 backpacks and nearly $50,000 in gift cards across Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Michigan. As back-to-school prices continue to soar, these events equipped families with the tools they need to set their children up for success as the new school year begins.
From Phoenix to Kalamazoo, families showed up in the thousands — leaving with full backpacks, gift cards, and the essentials to start the school year prepared. Arizona’s event at Encanto Park in Phoenix was featured on Power 98.3’s J and Jay Morning Show, where coverage emphasized Somos’ role in equipping hardworking families with the tools to help their children thrive. In Nevada, Telemundo Las Vegas promoted the event while Fiesta 98.1 provided live coverage from Boulevard Mall as well as bilingual interviews with La Madrina y Rogelio el Torito highlighting Somos’ commitment to supporting Latino families as key drivers of the economy.
In Michigan, Somos partnered with El Concilio at the annual Latinx Festival in Kalamazoo, where local outlets like Alma Latina, NowKalamazoo, Nueva Opinión and MILive highlighted how families were equipped with this economic relief and essential supplies. Coverage emphasized the festival’s spirit of community pride and resilience, underscoring how cultural celebration and local partnerships can strengthen families during challenging times. For the event in Wisconsin, Somos partnered with Renace and Voces de la Frontera and got coverage on La Radio de Milwaukee to emphasize how hardworking Latino families power the economy and need support during challenging economic times, with many facing reduced work hours and rising costs for school supplies.
“Every family wants to set up their kids for success as they head into the school year. But as school costs pile up — from backpacks to notebooks to new clothes, too many hardworking families are being stretched thin,”said Melissa Morales, President and Founder of Somos Votantes. “Hardworking families power our economy, and they shouldn’t have to choose between setting their kids up for the school year and covering rent or groceries. Our event series was about equipping families with the tools they need so their kids can start the year confident and ready to thrive.”
By meeting families where they are — at local festivals, parks, and malls — Somos Votantes demonstrated that investing in hardworking people means investing in the strength of our communities. This approach directly addresses what Somos' 2025 Latino polling series continues to reveal: with 64% of Latino voters rating the economy as "poor" and nearly a quarter struggling to cover basic expenses, families need both immediate relief and long-term investment in their success.
The successful events across Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin are part of Somos’ year-round commitment to providing families with tools, opportunities, and the confidence to build a good life.
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About Somos Votantes
Somos Votantes is a Latino-led, Latino-focused organization that runs some of the largest independent Latino civic and voter engagement programs in the country. We envision a nation where hardworking Latinos have the opportunities and tools to fully participate in our democracy. Somos Votantes seeks to empower hardworking Latinos in shaping the future of our democracy, primarily through non-partisan civic engagement programs, by increasing our participation in elections and advocating for progressive policies.Visit https://www.somosvotantes.com/ for more information on this program and other projects, and follow the organization on Instagram, Facebook, and X.