SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) has once again demonstrated its commitment to the community by organizing a successful backpack drive for the 2025 school year. This year, DCSS employees donated 372 backpacks filled with essential school supplies, including binders, pencil boxes, notebooks, folders, crayons, markers, highlighters, glue sticks and scissors.

The event was a collaborative effort with several community partners, including the Center for Fathers and Families, Chicks in Crisis, Next Move Homeless Services and the Sacramento City Unified School District’s American Indian Education Program (AIEP).

Both the Center for Fathers and Families and Chicks in Crisis hosted events where registered attendees could pick up their new backpacks. Additionally, 50 backpacks were delivered to Next Move Homeless Services, and another 60 backpacks were delivered to the American Indian Education Program for distribution.

Child Support Services Assistant Director Janelle Bright expressed her pride in the department’s ongoing efforts to support local youth every August in honor of Child Support Awareness Month. "For many years, our department has donated backpacks and supplies to countless youth within Sacramento County. We’re not just providing brand new backpacks and school supplies for their first day of school, children get to experience a new backpack and supplies just like their peers. And, most importantly, we’re providing parents with one less thing to worry about as they prepare for the new school year."

Marya Cooley, director of Operations & Development at Chicks in Crisis, shared her thoughts on the collaboration:

“The backpack giveaway made a tremendous impact on the families we serve, providing essential supplies that help students start the school year prepared and confident. In addition to supporting our existing families, the event allowed us to connect with 114 new individuals who may not have known about Chicks in Crisis, expanding our reach and introducing more families to the resources and support we offer.” 

Chicks in Crisis is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering young parents and families by providing essential resources, education and support to help children thrive and reduce the risk of infants entering foster care.

This annual event ensures that school-age children in Sacramento County have the necessary supplies to start the school year on the right foot. Child Support Services’ dedication to the community is evident through its continuous efforts to support and uplift local families in celebration of Child Support Awareness Month. The success of this year’s backpack drive is a testament to the generosity and commitment of Child Support Services employees and their community partners.

If you or someone you know could benefit from child support services, visit childsupport.saccounty.gov or call (866) 901-3212 to get started.