Family Giving Tree donates thousands of backpacks to needy children

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Friday was delivery day for a major Bay Area backpack donation drive. The Family Giving Tree has been accepting backpacks at its San Jose warehouse.

This is the 19th year that the non-profit has collected packs for low-income kids. Over the next two weeks, some 600 volunteers will stuff them with supplies. From there, they'll be donated to local schools and organizations, then on to the kids.

Jennifer Cullenbine with the Family Giving Tree said, "There's an awful lot of families in the Bay Area that have to make choices pay the rent, or buy shoes for their kids, so buying school supplies doesn't even come into the equation. We found that if we can send a child to school with the tools they need, they don't interrupt the class, they feel confident and ready to go, it makes a completely different learning experience for those kids."

The Family Giving Tree expects to hand out 21,000 backpacks this year.

There's still time for you to help. If you would like to make a donation, click here.