Community

Lend A Hand Foundation’s 22nd Annual Backpack Giveaway Helps 8,000 OUSD Students

On July 31, the Lend A Hand Foundation held its 22nd Annual Supply and Essentials Program where volunteers filled more than 8,000 backpacks with school supplies.

Published

4 years ago

August 6, 2021

Christy Price

Lend A Hand

On July 31, the Lend A Hand Foundation held its 22^nd Annual Supply and Essentials Program where volunteers filled more than 8,000 backpacks with school supplies. The annual school supply drive began in August of 1999 and as of Aug. 1, 2021, 106,516 supply kits have been provided to students enrolled in the Oakland Unified School District.

Many volunteers came out to literally lend a hand. Visitors from OUSD included Director of Communications John Sasaki and District 7 OUSD Trustee Dr. Clifford Thompson. Local government representatives included District 6 Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor and Alameda County District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley. Some representatives of Lend A Hand’s corporate sponsors also joined in to help make sure the mission was accomplished.

Lend A Hand is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for low-income/at-risk children, youth, and families by offering educational, cultural, and social activities as well as basic needs. The foundation is excited and grateful to announce that, again, because of many awesome supporters they were able to honor their commitment to provide as much support to students as possible.

As the school year unfolds, Lend A Hand will continue to seek support so that they can provide additional school supplies when needed, laptops, school clothes, and continue to help with food insecurity.

Dee Johnson is the founder and executive director of the Lend A Hand Foundation.