Desert Financial Credit Union has provided a sponsorship to Assistance League of Phoenix (ALP) that provided low-income students in Phoenix with new books. This year’s donation funded new books for over 13,500 children served through Operation School Bell, ALP’s signature program.

“Desert Financial Credit Union has been a longtime supporter of our mission and a true partner in every sense of the word.” said Aimee Runyon, CEO of Assistance League of Phoenix. “Their commitment to giving back to our community has resulted in DFCU employees volunteering countless hours each year, and impactful financial contributions like this one, that provided over 13,500 children in need with a brand-new book to call their own. We could not be more grateful and proud of our partnership.”

Operation School Bell is ALP’s flagship program which aims to fulfill basic needs, foster self-esteem, and make sure every single student can enter the classroom ready to learn. The program helped more than 13,500 students this school year.

Assistance League of Phoenix partners with more than 130 Title I schools in the Greater Phoenix Area to bring Operation School Bell to students grades K-8 in need. Each school can select up to 100 children to receive wardrobe packages. To make the program more accessible for underserved and low-income families, ALP utilizes (3) 40ft retrofitted buses called Delivering Dreams Buses, bringing the program directly to the schools. The buses are filled with racks of clothing and shoes, along with private dressing rooms. Corporate/community groups provide volunteers to help each child select clothing and ensure that clothes and shoes fit properly. Each student receives a package of items that include clothing, shoes, hygiene items and a new book valued at approximately $300.