Mayor’s Backpack Give-A-Way program now in its sixth year

Daytona Beach parents will get a break this year when it comes to shopping for back-to-school supplies for their children. The Mayor’s Backpack Give-A-Way program, now in its sixth year, will provide students with new backpacks filled with school supplies, socks and undergarments at three locations throughout the city.

This annual event is sponsored by the City of Daytona Beach, Walmart, Pepsi Bottling Company and Frito Lay. There will be 3,500 backpacks distributed this year, the largest number of backpacks to be given away by the city. By comparison, there were 240 backpacks provided to Daytona Beach children in the first year of the program.

“We quickly recognized the need for more assistance. Kids often disconnect because they don’t have adequate school supplies. Having the right supplies could make the difference between a successful school year and a failure,” said Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey. 

While supplies last, the backpacks will be distributed at the following dates, times and locations in Daytona Beach:

Hot dogs and water will also be served at the above locations. Children must be Daytona Beach residents to receive a backpack and parents' identification indicating residency may be requested.