The 2026 Annual Backpack Giveaway was a great success, thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, donors, and partners who came together to support our clients' children who are about to start the new school year.

Held on Saturday, July 25, in the National Charity League Community room at the West Valley Food Pantry, families came through to pick out a backpack of their choice, and then one of our fantastic volunteers from National Charity League of San Fernando Valley filled that backpack with school supplies. This year, we successfully distributed 231 backpacks to students entering grades K-12 for the 2026–2027 school year.

This event wouldn't have been possible without the help of countless individuals who donated school supplies, made financial contributions, or volunteered their time. Special acknowledgment goes to the National Charity League of San Fernando Valley, whose partnership and volunteer support helped make the event possible, and an anonymous donor, who sponsored all of the backpacks for this year's event. Their dedication, along with the overwhelming response from donors, played a vital role in the event's success.

The Backpack Giveaway serves as a testament to the power of community collaboration, demonstrating how collective generosity can make a lasting impact on local families. Thank you to everyone who contributed time and resources to help us continue our tradition of supporting our clients' children as they go back to school.

Watch a fun video on the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbSDvaLM-Wx/