Won’t You Help? 200 Back-to-School Backpacks Needed for Local Children in Need or Foster Care

Hillsides, a Southern California foster care and mental health charity, is asking the community to donate 200 school backpacks for local children in need or foster care. Every summer, the agency, which serves 15,000 children and families, runs a back-to-school backpack drive for children who cannot afford school supplies.

This year, Hillsides has fallen short of its goal to collect 450 backpacks filled with school basics.

“In recent years, Hillsides has expanded its programs, which means we are serving more children than ever before,” said Laura Kelso, Hillsides community resources director. “We are thankful for our generous community members who have already donated backpacks, but right now, hundreds of children won’t be able to start the school year with the needed supplies or a backpack to carry them in.”

One easy way for people to donate is to dovetail giving with their back-to-school shopping. “While at the store, families might consider purchasing a few extra supplies such as pens, pencils, notebooks and erasers as well as some extra backpacks for kids in need,” said Kelso. “Gathering together supplies and backpacks is also a fun, worthwhile project for local businesses looking to give back.”

Those interested in donating backpacks and supplies to Hillsides can contact Kelso at lkelso@hillsides.org or (323)  254-2274 ext. 1251. Anyone wishing to donate cash toward backpacks and supplies can visit https://hillsides.wedid.it/campaigns/3587.

About Hillsides

Hillsides, with its affiliate Bienvenidos, is dedicated to healing children and young adults, strengthening families, and transforming communities through quality comprehensive services and advocacy. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the agency serves 15,000 children and families in Southern California throughout more than 40 sites, including school-based mental health offices in Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Baldwin Park. Foster care and adoptions services are offered in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. To learn more about Hillsides, please visit www.Hillsides.org. Visit Hillsides on Facebook @hillsideschildren, on Twitter @Hillsides, or on Instagram @HillsidesPasadena.