The 2023-2024 school year has officially begun for South San Antonio ISD (SSAISD) students, and with that comes the need for school supplies in order to have a successful and productive year.

Representatives and volunteers from the TEXAS YES Project visited 6 elementary campuses Wednesday morning to deliver pre-packaged boxes of supplies, known as a “Box of Dreams”, containing pencils, pens, notebooks and more, courtesy of Thomas J. Henry.

“We are super excited to have TEXAS YES here today, visiting our Wildcat kiddos,” Carrillo Elementary Counselor Patricia Lopez said. “We love that they support our families during this time, and we welcome them back anytime.”

Some special guests also joined them in celebrating the first day of school, including Olaf from Frozen and characters from Trolls and Paw Patrol.

TEXAS YES Project began the “Box of Dreams” program 27 years ago, which provides Title 1 Elementary students, kindergarten through fifth grade, with free school supplies for the new school year.

The organization was built on the idea that by providing students with quality supplies and resources in the classroom, they can help them achieve long-term academic success.

“We believe that educational support is not a ‘hand-out but a hand-up,’” TEXAS YES Project Executive Director Danielle Gunter said. “When we go into schools and physically hand students a school supply kit, it lets them know that someone in the community cares about them and their success.”

For more information on the TEXAS YES Project, visit www.texasyesproject.org