SMUD partners with Sacramento Republic FC and Cal Expo for Giving Monday school supply drive
Donations of school supplies for children in need
Sacramento, Calif. – Thousands of kids can start distance learning off right thanks to a partnership with SMUD, Cal Expo and Sacramento Republic FC that collected much needed school supplies for the Sacramento Children’s Home and surrounding communities.
Although the State Fair was canceled this year due to COVID-19, children are still in need of school supplies while they learn at home. Traditionally, these supplies are provided in the classroom, but given the pandemic, there was a real need to ensure that all kids had the same learning opportunities.
“This partnership is a great way to give back to those in our community who need it most,” said Rhonda Staley-Brooks, SMUD’s community development manager. “And this year, the need is even greater. We want kids to start school off right and that starts with having the tools needed to succeed. It’s these types of community efforts that help lift up our entire community and we’re glad to be a part of it.”
“We’re pleased to continue our tradition of serving the community by partnering with SMUD to help those in need during these especially difficult times,” said Cal Expo CEO and General Manager Rick Pickering. “Cal Expo has always seen its role in the community as one that goes beyond the fair and we encourage those who can contribute to the future of Sacramento’s children.”
“Distance learning is a challenge for all, and especially for the many students who will start the school year at a disadvantage without the necessary supplies for an enriching year,” said Republic FC President and COO Ben Gumpert. “We’re proud to partner with community champions like KCRA, SMUD, Cal Expo and iHeartRadio, as well as with our generous fans, to collect donations that will help students throughout the region start the year off on the right path.”
SMUD Giving Monday will be accepting donation until 5 p.m. at the Cal Expo Main Gate. Donors will receive a free hand sanitizer in return, and the first 100 people to contribute will receive a free Sacramento Republic FC swag bag.
Monetary donations are still being accepted at kidshome.org/backpack. For more information about SMUD Giving Monday, visit calexpostatefair.com, and to learn more about SMUD’s community giving, visit SMUD's Community page.
About SMUD
As the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned, not-for-profit, electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for more than 70 years to Sacramento County and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD’s power mix is about 50 percent non-carbon emitting.
About Sacramento Children’s Home
Since 1867, the Sacramento Children’s Home has been committed to helping children by providing high-quality care to the Sacramento region’s most vulnerable children and families. Our 150+ year history has positioned our agency at the forefront of caring for at-risk youth and helping to build strong families throughout our community. For more information, visit kidshome.org.
About Sacramento Republic FC
Launched during Sac Soccer Day in 2013, Sacramento Republic FC exists to make California’s Capital Region into the most inspiring, energetic and rewarding place to live, work and play through the beautiful game. From its inception, the club smashed USL Championship records, and claimed the 2014 USL Cup in its inaugural season. Through an unrivaled level of support from its fans and community, the club will join Major League Soccer in 2023 and build a soccer-specific stadium in Downtown Sacramento, serving as a catalyst for the largest urban infill project in the U.S. The Railyards Stadium includes plans for an entertainment district to extend use beyond game days for fans and visitors year-round. For more information, visit SacRepublicFC.com and MLS2Sac.com.
About Cal Expo
Cal Expo is home to the California State Fair and plays host to hundreds of other signature events each year. The California Exposition & State Fair mission is to create a State Fair experience reflecting California including its industries, agriculture, and diversity of its people, traditions and trends shaping its future supported by year-round events. The California State Fair is an international award-winning fair, receiving top honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions out of more than 1,100 fairs world-wide.