City National Bank Provides School Supplies to Students in Need

City National joins LA Family Housing and Office of LA City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, District 7, to distribute backpacks and school supplies to students experiencing homelessness

LOS ANGELES — City National Bank, LA Family Housing (LAFH) and the Office of LA City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, District 7, kicked off the back-to-school season today by distributing backpacks filled with school supplies to approximately 400 school-aged children experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County.

“With rising rent prices and inflation continuing to affect our communities, it’s more important than ever to make sure students who need it most have what they need to succeed in school,” said Linda Duncombe, executive vice president and chief marketing, data and digital officer at City National Bank. “Stepping up for our communities is core to who we are at City National, and we’re pleased to be able to show support for students and help them prepare for the new school year.”

“We are beyond grateful to our incredible supporters at City National for their ongoing dedication to setting the students of LA Family Housing up for success," said Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, president and CEO of LA Family Housing. “These backpacks truly are more than just backpacks: They send a message to young students and their families who are transitioning out of homelessness that we are here for them and rooting for them to do well in school and beyond.” 

Other event supporters include Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Los Angeles Public Library, the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Head Start program, Kid Dangerous, School on Wheels, Shoes that Fit, University Eye Care, and the Office of Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. Students received clothing and shoes, and LAUSD were on site to register the students for school. The event took place at the Vagabond Inn in Sylmar, Calif., where LAFH provides interim housing and supportive services to families experiencing homelessness.

The 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count results released in late June showed a 9% rise in homelessness on any given night in Los Angeles County and a 10% rise in the City of Los Angeles, including children.

This event is part of City National Bank’s commitment to provide a backpack to every child enrolled in an LAFH program. Since 2010, City National has donated more than 27,000 backpacks to students across the country.

As one of the largest homeless service providers and affordable real estate developers in Los Angeles, LAFH connects more than 13,000 individuals and families with the housing resources and supportive services that enable them to regain personal stability and transition out of homelessness. In 2022, LAFH moved more than 2,600 people into permanent homes. The agency has more than 800 permanent and supportive homes in its real estate development pipeline to be completed in the coming years.