VIVA PIMA! was featured in the December 2025 issue of Desert Leaf, highlighting two meaningful parts of our work: helping Tucson children prepare for school and keeping usable items out of landfills.

The article offers a closer look at the volunteers, programs, and community partnerships that make this work possible.

Helping Children Start School with Confidence

The feature highlights how our Kids program gives children the opportunity to choose new school clothing and essentials.

For students attending schools that require uniforms, VIVA PIMA! provides vouchers through their schools so families can attend our back-to-school shopping events. Volunteers welcome children to our building across from the thrift shop, where backpacks, shirts, hoodies, underwear, socks, and shoes are arranged for a shopping experience centered on their needs.

As Executive Director Nicola Hartmann shared with Desert Leaf, watching a child choose a new pair of shoes is a special moment.

The article also describes a back-to-school shopping event at Target for children attending Title I schools that do not require uniforms. At the time of the feature, VIVA PIMA! funded school-related purchases of up to $125 per student.

Learn more about our community programs and how they support children and families in Pima County.

Giving Usable Items a Second Life

Desert Leaf also highlights our efforts to reduce waste while supporting our neighbors.

Alongside providing essential resources, VIVA PIMA! works to keep usable items out of landfills. The feature describes how volunteers connect specialty items or goods that cannot be sold in our thrift shop with 15 nonprofit partners that can use them directly.

These partnerships help donated items find a purpose, extending their usefulness and supporting other organizations serving our community.

If you have items to give, explore our in-kind donation guidelines before dropping them off.

Read the Full Desert Leaf Feature

We’re grateful to Desert Leaf for sharing our story and recognizing the care our volunteers bring to this work.

Read the full article in the December 2025 issue of Desert Leaf.

You can help continue this local impact by shopping with VIVA PIMA!, making a donation, or volunteering your time.