It was the ripple effect that Arveen Birdi had hoped to create.

About a month ago, the reigning Miss Manteca – via Manteca Youth Focus, a non-profit organization known for developing young leaders in the community – stepped up in early July by organizing a backpack and school supply drive, benefiting children in HOPE Family Shelter.

Birdi did that and more, collecting 43 backpacks accompanied by an assortment of school supplies for the youngsters in the local homeless shelter.

On Monday, HOPE Family Shelter happily accepted the much-needed donation at the Raymus House, 520 Union Rd.

“For Arveen to come to us (with the backpacks and school supplies) was a blessing,” said HOPE Ministries CEO Cecily Ballungay. “She’s an inspiration.”

HOPE Family Shelter – an emergency shelter servicing women and children who have been displaced for up to 60 to 90 days – is under the umbrella of HOPE Ministries, Inc., servicing the community for over 25 years.

Ballungay indicated that her non-profit organization usually goes in-house in gathering school supplies for children at the shelter. “It’s a time-consuming undertaking given our limited manpower,” she said.

The donation from Birdi appears to be “really close (of the number of backpacks and school supplies) to help the kids we have here,” Ballungay added.

Birdi, who is a senior at Sierra High – she’s also president of the school’s Leadership program – became aware of the need to help amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Knowing that the children will be prepared and feeling confident to start the school year was my goal,” said Birdi, who thanked those who stepped up for her cause including her family.

She listed the following supporters: Manteca Fire Station #5, Melissa & Perry Haskins (Manteca Security Public Storage), Raj Lal (Precision Automotive), Rene Vasquez Kee (Ed’s Rockery), Joann Beattie (Manteca Chamber of Commerce executive director), Sydnee Navarro & Family (2021 MYF All-Star member), Sandra Van Ryn, Shim Lacy (Manteca Youth Focus director), Kristin & Douglas Scott (MYF board of directors),Robin & Trent Bradshaw (Young Manteca City Ambassadors), Yoli & Gary Vaughan (MYF board of directors), Rodina & Alani Mullenix (Miss Teen Winterfest), and Imani Le’shaun.

“The school supply drive would not have been successful without the generosity of these amazing individuals,” Birdi added.