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Nonprofit gives $100 to dozens of Central Texas students in need

Posted at 5:23 PM, Aug 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-15 00:07:44-04

A nonprofit organization based out of Buckholts gave dozens of families some financial help to start the new school year.

Back To School Extravaganza held its annual event at the Walmart on South 31st Street in Temple on Saturday morning.

The organization gave $100 to almost 100 students to purchase school supplies or other items they need this school year.

"Without this help, this hundred dollars, these kids wouldn't have backpacks. They might not have shoes. I can't explain it. I can't explain what a great feeling it is," Tina West, a Buckholts resident, said. 

John Southerland, a former Buckholts resident, created the organization and annual event in 2014. He said his family's financial troubles while growing up inspired him to give back.

"I was the kid who went to the first day of school with last year’s broken-down shoes, hand-me-down clothes, incomplete school supplies, and a ticket for the free lunch plan," he said. 

Southerland has consistently increased the number of kids his organization has helped. It helped about a dozen kids in its first year. 

His ultimate goal is to provide supplies for 1,000 students. 

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