The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a back-to-school event in south Los Angeles on Wednesday at Dr Owen Lloyd Knox Elementary School.
The royals helped the non-profit organisation, Baby2Baby, hand out school supplies ahead of students in the Los Angeles area beginning the 2020-2021 school year by distance learning. The group is at the forefront of the COVID-19 relief, and they have recently announced a new commitment to families and students in poverty across the US. They have already distributed 30 million items during the pandemic.
Dressed in masks and gloves to follow pandemic guidelines, the couple handed out school supplies, books, backpacks, clothing, food, hygiene items and other items. The Duke and Duchess were in high spirits in the 90F heat and chatted with those families who picked up the supplies.
A source told Omid Scobie: “The kids were eager to receive their books and supplies and Meghan and Harry did what they do best – engage and connect with the crowd.”
Baby2Baby Co-Presidents Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof said about their Wednesday event: “We are so grateful to be onsite during the most unique back to school week in history distributing school supplies, backpacks, hygiene, clothing and food directly to children and families who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are struggling to afford the basic necessities they rely on school to provide.
“We are committed to supporting the students from our partners at LAUSD and around the country throughout distance learning as well as when they are back in the classroom.”
According to People, Weinstein later told people that they “were thrilled and overwhelmed at the support” from the Sussexes. “We believe that the fact that the Duchess is from Los Angeles was what prompted her to highlight L.A., where Baby2Baby is based. We felt particularly grateful that she was highlighting an American organisation,” she said.
The Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner also said: “Our mission at Los Angeles Unified is to help students learn and support students and families most in need.
“Thank you to Baby2Baby for your generosity and support. The faces of the students and families as they receive necessary supplies remind us all how important it is, during these most difficult of times, to create a sense of stability and even a few moments of happiness, in the lives of those we serve.”
