Annual Backpack Drive Underway; Police Accepting Donations
This week marks the beginning of the annual drive to collect backpacks for children who cannot afford them.
This is the sixth consecutive year the Hawaii Police Department has worked in partnership with HOPE Services Hawaii (formerly known as the Office of Social Ministry).
As in previous years, all police stations on the island will double as drop-off locations for persons interested in helping children in need. Backpacks may be dropped off until Aug. 30.
Backpacks have been identified as the most requested non-food items for charities in Hawaii.
The donated backpacks will be distributed to children at women’s shelters, homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities around the Big Island.
Last year’s drive resulted in the collection of more than 300 backpacks.
Hope Services Hawaii provides a variety of homeless and transitional programs from outreach to emergency shelters, including permanent housing placements.