Iowa LULAC joins Des Moines education group in seeking clothing donations for low-income youth

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For immediate release

Dec. 6, 2013

DES MOINES - The League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa has pledged to support the Des Moines Education Association in collecting winter clothing donations for low-income youth in the city’s public school district.

Winter hats, boots, gloves and scarves can be donated from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday as part of a “Day of Action” across the United States, an effort in which National LULAC and the National Education Association have come together to support. The National Day of Action to Reclaim the Promise of Public Education is a special day for parents, teachers, students and community members to come together.

“We want to ensure that families receive the clothing items necessary to keep their children safe and warm this winter,” said Joe Enriquez Henry, state director of Iowa LULAC. “Many of the students who lived in the Des Moines School District are Latino and come from low-income families. They, and others, will benefit greatly from these donations.

Almost 33 percent of the Latino population lived in poverty in 2011, according to the State Data Center of Iowa. The statewide poverty rate was 12.8 percent for 2011. More than 60 percent of the children within the Des Moines School District receive a free or reduced-price lunch, an indicator of poverty.

Clothing can be dropped off at the Iowa State Education Association, 777 Third St. in Des Moines.

There also will be a press conference at 11 a.m. Monday in the conference room of the DMEA offices, located in the lower level of the ISEA building. NEA President Dennis Van Roekel will speak about the effects of poverty in schools and the need to take action to help low-income families and children. Tammy Wawro, president of the Iowa State Education Association; Andrew Rasmussen, president of the Des Moines Education Association; and Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa, also will be present.

Iowa LULAC is accepting clothing donations this weekend for those who are not able to donate on Monday. Please contact Enriquez Henry at 515.208.7312 or joehenry@iowalatinos.org.

Founded in 1929, the League of United Latin American Citizens is the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. There are more than 880 local LULAC councils, which hold voter registration drives, provide awareness to residents about language and immigration issues, sponsor programs and advocate for Latinos.

For more information, contact Melissa Walker at 515.681.7731 or media@iowalatinos.org, or visit www.lulaciowa.org.

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