Texas Border Business
Driscoll Health Plan gave away 14,000 backpacks and other school supplies to students at 31 back to school events held across South Texas in July and August.
Driscoll Health Plan has been helping students and families prepare for school for more than 10 years by hosting back to school events in 24 counties in South Texas in the Nueces and Hidalgo Service Areas. Driscoll Health Plan is a nonprofit, community-based health insurance plan offering healthcare coverage to more than 222,000 children, pregnant women and other adults in its service area that covers 25,000 square miles.
“Driscoll Health Plan has always known there is a need in our community and that there are barriers which may keep a student from returning to school with necessary items. With the pandemic changing, and schools reopening for in-person learning, Driscoll Health Plan made sure to plan this year’s events safely and effectively so the community could be comfortable at the events,” said Rose Santos, Community Outreach Manager for Driscoll Health Plan.
In July and August, the Community Outreach team at Driscoll Health Plan held 31 community events with local school districts, head starts, FQHC, providers and community partners.
Through these partnerships, free materials such as backpacks, rulers, glue sticks and other items were provided to families at no cost. A total of 14,000 backpacks, 5,000 string bags, 69,500 Driscoll Health Plan supplies and 88,500 partner supplies were distributed to students in the Nueces and Hidalgo Service Areas.
In addition to the supplies, the events offered COVID-19 vaccinations, sports physicals, haircuts and health education on various topics covering general vaccinations, annual checkups and child passenger safety.
“Driscoll Health Plan’s back to school events are a small support that families in our communities can count on year after year. We continue to help meet students’ needs, and providing families with vital health education so they may have a successful scholastic year,” said Santos. “We just want to be able to serve whoever needs it so our events are always open to anyone in the community. It’s just our way of giving back and getting kids back to being kids.”
