FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Community spirit was on full display July 30 as Give Big Give Backpacks brought together volunteers, families and local partners to distribute 3,200 free backpacks filled with school supplies to students across Michigan.
Held simultaneously at eight locations statewide, each site provided 400 backpacks, with several locations seeing lines form before the official 5:30 p.m. start time. By early evening, many sites had distributed all supplies ahead of schedule, underscoring both the program’s popularity and its impact on local families.
“Give Big Give Backpacks is about more than providing school supplies—it’s about showing students and families that their community is behind them,” said Kelsey Royer, Community Choice Foundation Specialist. “Watching volunteers come together to serve thousands of children was a powerful reminder that small acts of generosity create a lasting impact and truly bring our People Helping People mission to life.”
Impact & Outcomes
- 3,200 backpacks distributed to students across Michigan
- Eight community sites served, from Livonia to Muskegon
- Hundreds of volunteers engaged in coordinated, statewide support effort
- Many locations reached capacity early, highlighting strong demand for back-to-school assistance