Each year, thousands of North Texas families in need struggle to provide adequate clothing, food, supplies and medical coverage for their children. On Wednesday, Aug. 17, Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities teamed up with Belk and Dallas ISD to provide students of two underserved Dallas ISD schools with brand new uniforms dental and vision screenings, healthy groceries to take home, and much more. The Ellis Davis Field House, located at 9191 South Polk Street, was converted into a “pop-up shop” to provide a special shopping experience for students at John Neely Bryan Elementary School and Boude Storey Middle School.
Belk provided more than $50,000 in uniforms to outfit more than 1,200 students so they could start the school year with confidence and enthusiasm, as well as alleviate the burden of purchasing these new items for their parents who may be struggling to make ends meet. This is the third year Belk has supported the initiative. To date, Belk has partnered with Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities to provide more than 3,600 uniforms, a value of more than $177,000, for Dallas ISD students.
Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities was pleased to deepen the impact of this event with additional community partners who are committed to providing critical services to Dallas families in need. DECA Dental provided onsite dental screenings and follow-up services for all children for six months; TONI&GUY Hair Salon and San Francisco Barbershop of Dallas provided haircuts; and The Essilor Vision Foundation provided on-site screenings and new glasses for children in need.
Albertsons/Tom Thumb was on hand to serve lunch to every family that attended, as well as tp send each family home with a bag of healthy groceries and non-perishable food. The Dallas Mavericks Foundation provided giveaways and entertainment, along with 10 passes for two (two) to in-season games. Music was provided by the Carter High School Marching Band, the Thomas Jefferson’s Modern Band, the Mavs Drumline and more!
“To achieve your dreams, you must create a foundation for success and that begins with education and good health. Families shouldn’t need to choose between clothes, medical services and other basic needs. This year’s back to school event is a true community partnership and shows how committed leaders in Dallas are to helping 1,200 local students start the school year ready to learn. Pat and I are so pleased to see so many community partners come together to help these children start the school year off with new clothes and glasses, full bellies, and a healthy smile.” said Emmitt Smith.
“We believe education is the cornerstone of success, and we contribute to charities that share this belief,” said Jessica Graham, Vice President of Communications and Community Relations at Belk. “We created our annual uniform donation program to help families who struggle to make ends meet in cities across our footprint. We are so happy to continue this initiative in Dallas with Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities.”
