Every year, Impact LA hosts a Back-To-School Backpack Giveaway to gather essential backpacks and school supplies to help prepare youth who can’t afford them for the new school year. These supplies help ensure families don’t have to decide between basic needs and what their children need to be successful in school. This year, we are continuing our efforts of collecting and distributing backpacks to those who need them.

At retail, a backpack and supplies can range from $60 (Elementary) to $100 (High School). When these supplies are not available, classwork and homework often go undone, and by the 3rd grade, these students are, on average, already two years behind their peers in reading and math. Lacking these supplies can also destabilize a student's self-esteem and confidence in that classroom.

This is why we've set our goal to provide at least 824 backpacks with school supplies at our Annual Back to School Giveaway on August 24, which is also known to many Angelenos as Kobe Day.

Kobe Bean Bryant’s success was ultimately driven by his unmatched work ethic and commitment to himself, his family and everyone around him. The fierce competitor was as passionate about philanthropy as he was about pursuing baskets or championship rings. His impact both on and off the basketball court was immeasurable. As he based his foundation on improving the lives of young people and their families, his goal was always to show our young Angelenos how to become leaders and independent thinkers.

Impact LA’s mission resonates with his vision for helping our youth and their families and this is one of the reasons we’re proud of our philanthropic efforts in the LA community. To celebrate the love we have for Los Angeles, we host Kobe Day every year to honor Kobe Bryant, one LA’s inspirational pioneers, by giving back to our young Angelenos with our Back to School Backpack Giveaway.

Please donate a backpack today, and we’ll make sure school supplies and backpacks get into the hands of those who need them most!

Kobe Day - Back to School Giveaway