Happy Summer! My name is Tyra Willis, and I am the Communications Team Member at Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P.). This is my first year as a team member with F.E.P., and I am so grateful and honored to share with you that we have completed our annual 2025 School Supply Drive for the children of farmworkers in the Central Coast. These farmworkers pick some of our favorite produce such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries.
For the past several years, we’ve partnered with Lizabeth Valdez, who works to protect the rights of farm workers and organizes F.E.P.’s on-site drive for the children. F.E.P. has been organizing the School Supply Drive for 11 years, and this year proved to be one of the most challenging yet deeply meaningful. At a time when ICE continues to remove people from their communities and many farm workers live under constant fear, we especially had reservations partnered with excitement.
“We weren’t entirely sure we’d even be able to deliver the supplies in person, given the political climate and the rise in kidnappings by ICE and DHS. We didn’t even know the drop-off location until about an hour before the delivery.”
– Jordan, F.E.P.’s Web and Database Team Member
This year’s drive gave us the privilege of putting smiles not only on the faces of parents and guardians but also on their children, reminding us that even small acts of joy can serve as powerful acts of resistance in the face of ongoing hardship.
For the first time, our full team was able to come together in San Luis Obispo to prepare for the drive. Maddie traveled from Maine, Kennedy from Kentucky, Jordan and Josh from Utah, and I joined from Northern California. We gathered at F.E.P. ‘s H.Q. and home city of F.E.P. ‘s founder and General Programs Team Member, lauren Ornelas, to unite our efforts in making this year’s event possible.
“I realized that while I might be more introverted these days, once I’m comfortable I can still be pretty extroverted. I’d worried I might just curl up in a ball on this trip, but our collective is so wonderful and welcoming that I quickly came out of my shell. I loved getting to know everyone better and truly enjoyed our time together.»
– Jordan, F.E.P.’s Web and Database Team Member
Preparation began months in advance, with careful planning around which school supplies to order and working with Lizabeth to secure the amount of backpacks needed along with their grade levels. lauren reviewed countless school supply lists to ensure every grade level received the tools they needed, while also making sure the supplies were safe and non-toxic. Kennedy and I found great joy in taking the lead on ordering all the supplies for the kids (aka online shopping)! Once the supplies were finalized, the next step was securing backpacks. Thanks to an exceptionally successful fundraising effort, we were able to purchase backpacks that were both high-quality and exciting for the children.
This year, we were intentional about sourcing from companies that had not cut their DEI programs, while also selecting designs that would bring joy. Younger children received backpacks featuring beloved characters such as Hello Kitty, Sonic, Minecraft, and Pokémon. For older students, we provided JanSport backpacks, a brand many older kids love but often cannot afford or easily access.
“Something that left a lasting impression on me was how excited the kids were when they found a backpack that had their favorite character on it. Some of the kids were even wearing a shirt that matched the theme of the backpack they ended up selecting.”
– Maddie, F.E.P.’s Vegan Programs Team Member
The F.E.P. team and our local lovely volunteers spent several days carefully packing backpacks, ensuring that each one contained an equitable set of supplies tailored to the student’s grade level. We thoughtfully sorted through pens, pencils, folders, notebooks, binders, and more, making certain that every item was in perfect condition for the children who would receive them.
“It was incredibly heartwarming to have the exceptional amount of support we received this year from our supporters, our team and also people in the San Luis Obispo Community who were so openly grateful and appreciative to us for conducting the School Supply Drive for the Children of Farm Workers.”
– lauren, F.E.P.’s Founder and General Programs Team Member
When the day of the School Supply Drive arrived, the team loaded two cars full of backpacks and prepared for the event. While there was excitement, there was also concern. With the ongoing fear of deportation lingering in the Central Coast, we wanted to create a safe space where children could freely choose a backpack that resonated with them, without fear of ICE separating families during an event designed to spark immense joy.
“It was scary to receive a text while we were on the way that someone was being taken.”
– lauren, F.E.P.’s Founder and General Programs Team Member
Upon arriving at the site, we met with Lizabeth and her team, to begin unloading the backpacks inside, organizing them by grade level so that students could easily find the right fit. As we worked, the sounds of children laughing and playing, parents chatting, and footsteps gathering outside filled the air. This moment deeply moved our team, after months of preparation, we were finally face-to-face with the families we had been working so hard to support.
After a short introduction with the crowd outside, the children were invited one by one to select their backpacks. Each child had the chance to explore the options, choosing the one that felt most special to them. In total, we distributed 233 backpacks. The joy on their faces as they found the perfect backpack was unforgettable.
As the event concluded, we loaded the remaining backpacks and supplies into Llizabeth’s car so she could continue to distribute them to children who were unable to attend. Our team and Lizabeth reflected on the event outside of the venue and expressed gratitude that the drive went smoothly, without any outside forces that could cause anxiety for the families. During our debrief outside, families continued to approach us, asking if we still had supplies. Though Lizabeth’s car was nearly full at first, within an hour or so only about six backpacks remained! This moment was especially powerful, as it reminded us that many parents work long hours or juggle multiple jobs. These parents still made the effort to come, even with no guarantee that we would still be there, hoping to bring something home for their children.
One memory that will stay with me forever during our debrief was when a young girl asked if we had anything left in pink, her favorite color, and mine as well. I gathered all the pink supplies we had remaining and handed them to her. The way her face lit up with joy as she ran back to her parent’s car is something I will never forget.
On behalf of the entire F.E.P. team, thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s School Supply Drive such a success. Because of your generosity, every child left with a backpack they loved and the supplies they need to support their education. This was one of our most successful fundraising years to date, with record-breaking support through social media. Your kindness and solidarity truly made a difference.
“We live in a world where farm workers, who do so much for the world, are not paid a living wage and are unable to provide important supplies for their children. It brought me happiness to know that so many people donated to our fundraiser for the farm worker families.”
– Kennedy, Youth Advocacy Team Member
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about this year’s event, and we look forward to continuing this tradition of joy, resilience, and community in the years ahead!
“This further reinforced my belief that all of our work is so deeply interconnected. I will never stop advocating for vegans to expand their definition of veganism to be rooted in liberation and justice for all beings.”
– Maddie, F.E.P.s Vegan Programs Team Member
