Mount Holly, NJ | August 31, 2021 – Oaks Integrated Care distributed over 900 brand new backpacks filled with school supplies to the Camden community at their Drive-Thru Backpack Giveaway event on August 28th. The nonprofit organization partnered with the Food Bank of South Jersey to also provide free Kids Meal Kits to all participants. Hosted by the Kroc Center in Camden, NJ, families in need of support could safely stay in their cars while volunteers, staff and Camden County Police Officers packed trunks with donations.
Staff, volunteers, partners and Camden County Police Get Ready for the Drive-Thru Backpack Giveaway Event.
The event was part of Oaks’ annual Operation Fill-A-Backpack drive which collected 1,000 additional stuffed backpacks for children and teens in programs throughout New Jersey. Oaks Integrated Care CEO Derry Holland shares, “Every child deserves a great first day of school. This year we wanted to expand our donation drive by giving back directly to the Camden community.” Holland adds, “It’s truly inspiring to see our donors, local organizations and the Camden County Police joining forces to ensure students are prepared to start the school year with the confidence needed to succeed.”
Oaks CEO Derry Holland carries backpacks to a waiting car.
The Food Bank of South Jersey was excited to collaborate and participate in the event. Fred Wasiak, Food Bank of South Jersey President & CEO, says, “Every day we see the growing needs in our communities of families facing food insecurity. With partners like Oaks Integrated Care, we are able to reach more children throughout the Camden community at events like this and bring them healthy and nutritious meals to start the school year right.”
Christine’s Hope for Kids, a foundation dedicated to giving hope and support to children in need, sponsored the event by donating $2,500 to purchase school supplies including essentials such as backpacks, pencils, folders, binders and more. Founder Jean Gianacaci explains, “We believe every child deserves the chance to be a kid, regardless of their circumstances. Operation Fill-A-Backpack was the perfect opportunity to give back.”
About Oaks Integrated Care
Oaks Integrated Care is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults, and families living with a mental illness, addiction, or developmental disability. The organization offers over 230 programs throughout New Jersey designed to meet the needs of the community with compassion. For more information, please visit www.oaksintcare.org or call the Development Office at 609-267-5928.
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