Police Thank Community For Supporting Keiki Backpack Drive

The community stepped up earlier this summer for keiki in need and the Hawaiʻi Police Department says mahalo.

HPD is sending thanks to the Big Island community for their tremendous contributions to the department’s recent backpack drive. After a hiatus because of the pandemic, police in conjunction with HOPE Services Hawaiʻi conducted a backpack drive for keiki in need during June and July. The drive was a resounding success, with a record number of backpacks donated.

In all, more than 700 backpacks were collected at the island’s police stations and given to HOPE Services for distribution to keiki at shelters and in transitional housing facilities for the new school year.

The backpack drive culminated with the State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers making a generous donation to HOPE Services to be used for additional services for keiki at its shelters.

HPD and HOPE Services have partnered together since 2008 to collect school backpacks for children who cannot afford them. Backpacks are the most requested non-food item by charities in Hawaiʻi.