ATASCADERO — As students across San Luis Obispo County sharpen their pencils and lace up new shoes for the first day of school, children at El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) are walking into classrooms with the same sense of excitement and readiness, thanks to the generosity of our community.

From backpacks fully stocked with notebooks, pens, markers, and calculators, to gift cards for clothing, socks, and shoes, local partners stepped up to make sure every child at ECHO had the tools needed to thrive. The Atascadero Police Association, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, and The Paso Sherpa came together with ECHO to ensure that no student was left without the essentials.

“We always like to offer help to ECHO in the small ways we can, and Back to School is one of our favorite times of year,” said Kat Westcott, owner of The Paso Sherpa. “Not only is it fun to shop for the right supplies, but knowing these items will help children feel confident and succeed at school makes it exponentially better.”

With 130 beds across two campuses, ECHO serves an average of 40 children every night. For these students, starting the school year prepared goes beyond just pencils and paper. It provides stability, dignity, and a sense of belonging — key building blocks for academic success and self-esteem. Research consistently shows that students who begin school with the necessary supplies feel more engaged, perform better in class, and are less likely to fall behind.

Families and children at ECHO’s shelters expressed their gratitude and joy as they received their new supplies — smiling ear to ear and eager to show off their backpacks. “These donations don’t just provide school supplies; they help restore hope and show our families that the community is behind them,” said Wendy Lewis, President/CEO of ECHO.

For more information about ECHO and its programs, visit echoshelter.org

Feature Image courtesy of ECHO