Family Giving Tree kicks off 30th annual Back-to-School Drive
Backpack drive
Family Giving Tree, a Milpitas-based nonprofit, kicked off its 30th annual Back-to-School Drive this month with the goal of providing 35,000 K–12 students with brand-new backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies.
Family Giving Tree’s Back-to-School Drive has distributed over 530,000 backpacks since its inception. Last year’s drive supported students in over 200 schools and agencies across 10 counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties.
According to the United Way’s 2023 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report, nearly 27% of Bay Area households struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, transportation and school supplies.
“Though school starts next month, there are still plenty of opportunities for people to join us in this work so Bay Area students can enter the classroom with confidence and the tools to succeed,” Jill Mitsch, Family Giving Tree CEO, said in a release.
The nonprofit is accepting direct donations to help purchase supplies. To learn more or get involved, visit www.familygivingtree.org.
Summer Family Campout
The fourth annual Summer Family Campout lets residents experience the great outdoors at a city park. The campout is taking place Saturday, July 26, 3 p.m.-Sunday, July 27, 10 a.m., at Ed Levin Park, 3100 Calaveras Blvd.
The hosted campout includes activities like nature workshops, camp crafts, lawn games, dinner cooked outdoors, a campfire, s’mores, sleeping under the stars and a campsite breakfast. The family-friendly overnight is designed for kids ages 6 and above and their families.
Tickets are $35 per person at https://www.simpletix.com/e/family-campout-tickets-213021. Every person must have their own ticket, regardless of age. Price includes dinner, s’mores and breakfast. Participants must bring their own tents and sleeping gear.