The elementary school in Uvalde where 19 students and two teachers were murdered last month will be torn down. The owners of the H-E-B grocery chain have committed $10 million to a fund to help pay for a new school to be built. A location and timeline for construction haven't been announced.
“Our first store in Uvalde opened in 1959, and Uvalde people are our people,” said Charles Butt, H-E-B’s Chairman. “As we continue to mourn tremendous loss, I join with my family and H-E-B in working to ensure the Uvalde community can move forward from this tragic event. Our children are this country’s future, and our schools should be a safe place where children can thrive and envision new possibilities.”
Built in the 1960s, Robb Elementary serves approximately 538 students in grades second through fourth. The school has been permanently closed, and while a timeline hasn’t been determined, plans are in place for the school to be demolished, ensuring students and staff will not have to return to the building at the site of the tragedy.
In addition to this support, last month, H-E-B launched a donation campaign and announced it would commit $500,000 to support the victims and families affected by this heartbreaking event. Earlier this month, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust also announced a $500,000 donation to support nonprofits helping fellow Texans in Uvalde.
“We thank our loyal H-E-B customers for their unwavering support of communities in times of need,” Butt added.