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The Farmington (New Mexico) Corps, led by Corps Officer Captain Darla Malone, held a back-to-school shopping event Aug. 9 for 138 local children.
After checking in, children were teamed up with a volunteer shopper to help select a backpack and supplies for their grade level, plus a box of tissue and a new toothbrush. While the children selected school supplies, their parents chose a coat for their child. Each family received a goodie bag with an art kit, stickers and information about The Salvation Army.
On the way out, families received extra produce the corps had received along with a voucher for each child to shop for clothes at the nearby Family Store.
The day brought a smile to many.
“One parent, after she left and got her children in the vehicle, she came back in, grabbed me in a hug, telling me how appreciative she was,” Malone said. “One of the children was so excited that she was able to pick out her own supplies. Our cashier, who had just started, shared with me how great it was to see the kids at the thrift store and all the smiles as they were going through the racks to find clothes.”
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