With all of our area schools well underway on a new school year, the need to take care of students across the area is hard to miss. Things like school supplies, clothing and simple hygiene products are always needed to help make the days just a little bit easier. In a county like Titus County, where 20.8 percent, or roughly one in five live below the poverty line, simple things can become a challenge for school aged children.

Each year between September 15 to October 15 people observe and celebrate the unique histories, contributions and cultural influences of Hispanics. Hispanic people are those who hail or whose ancestors hail from South America, Central America, Mexico, Spain, and areas of the Caribbean. Throughout early autumn, Hispanic culture and history is celebrated. The dates of Hispanic Heritage Month is significant because it includes the anniversaries of independence for various Latin American countries. September 15 marks when Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua achieved independence. The first official Hispanic heritage commemoration was observed in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. It was expanded in 1988 under then-president Ronald Regan to encompass a full month.