Kinecta Donates 600 Backpacks to Families in Need
Aug 31, 2020 01:21PM ● By Jeanne FratelloKinecta Federal Credit Union wrapped up its annual backpack drive this weekend with 600 backpacks provided to local families in
need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given that most schools are starting the school year with
distance learning, this year's drive had been slightly modified from previous years. This year, Kinecta created an Amazon wish list page where people could order and donate school supplies as requested by the organizations. However, as in previous years, the group also collected and distributed backpacks in anticipation of when school would return in person.
On Friday, hundreds of families made their way to the parking lot of
Dignity Health Sports Park to pick up the backpacks, school supplies and sweat shirts ahead of the new school year.
“We are so proud that this is our 11th year hosting this backpack giveaway for families in need,” said Latrice McGlothin, Kinecta's community engagement officer. “Local families spend
approximately $200 per student each academic year on supplies, and our
hope is that this will relieve some
of the burden.”
The
organization also collected $3800 in monetary
donations during the backpack drive. The funds were used to
purchase
school supplies and additional backpacks.
In addition to the families
that picked up backpacks from Dignity Health Sports Park, backpacks were
also donated to Kinecta community partners including Al Wooten Jr.
Youth Center, Environmental charter, Parents of
Watts, Richstone Family Center, GRYD Foundation, Thomas House Family
Shelter, Los Angeles Police Department Southeast Division, Watts/Century
Latino Organization, and Motorcycle Riders for Homeless Parolees.
“We
used to struggle making sure that every child had school supplies for
the school year,” said Naomi McSwain, executive director of the Al Wooten Jr.
Youth Center. “We haven't had
this concern since we started attending Kinecta’s backpack giveaways."
The Manhattan Beach-headquartered Kinecta
Federal Credit Union is one of the nation's largest credit unions, with
approximately $5 billion in assets,
22 branches, two retail mortgage centers, and 255,000 members
nationwide. Located in the South Bay for 80 years, Kinecta partners with, donates to, and
invests time in more than 150 nonprofit causes.