To ensure local students are prepared for the 2023-24 school year, City National Bank has donated some 125 backpacks filled with school supplies to United Way of Santa Barbara County to be given to students in need.

Three students with yellow shirts show off their new backpacks.
Students show off their new backpacks. Credit: Courtesy photo

Since 2014, City National Bank has donated 1,000 filled backpacks through United Way.

United Way recently distributed nearly 50 of these filled backpacks to children in its Fun in the Sun summer learning program at Franklin Elementary School in Santa Barbara. Fun in the Sun serves more than 350 students who qualify for free and reduced-cost school lunches each year at six campuses throughout the county.

United Way will distribute the remaining backpacks throughout the year to elementary students and families who participate in other United Way community programs, including its United Learning Center tutoring, rental assistance and disaster response programs.

Because buying school supplies presents a financial burden to numerous families, City National Bank donates needed supplies annually to relieve that hardship and to ensure young students have the tools they need for academic success.

City National Bank also supports students through Reading Is the Way Up, a fund to support creative literacy programs, and Dollars + Sense, City National’s financial education program.

“City National Bank is honored to partner with United Way for the past 10 years,” said Leo Hamill, regional manager of City National Bank Private Banking. “Speaking as a board member myself, in addition to our Montecito team’s hands-on support with Fun in the Sun, it is our greatest hope these backpacks will be given to students who need them most.

“Our goal is to provide young scholars with essential supplies so that they have the tools to advance towards educational success.”

United Way thanks City National Bank for its dedication to helping students in Santa Barbara County.