Kinecta Federal Credit Union Donates Backpacks For Students

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —Hundreds of families made their way to the parking lot of Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, August 7, to pick up backpacks, school supplies, and sweatshirts ahead of the new school year for the Kinecta Federal Credit Union backpack giveaway.

The Manhattan Beach-based business collected nearly 850 backpacks and school supplies with the help of employees and supporters, including the Skechers Foundation, Adidas, and LA Galaxy Forward, Cameron Dunbar.

Approximately 350 local families attended the drive-thru distribution and were provided with backpacks; sweatshirts donated from Smiles by Angels, a sack lunch, and frozen treats from Kinecta’s Ice Cream Truck. The remaining backpacks were donated to other school and community partners.

In attendance were Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Representative of California’s 43rd District; Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán, Representative of California’s 44th District; prominent Watts activist and Parents of Watts founder, “Sweet Alice” Harris; and Carson City Councilman Jawane Hilton, along with a host of Kinecta volunteers.

“I’m here every year with Kinecta because Kinecta is providing a wonderful service for all of our communities here,” Waters said in a statement. “This backpack giveaway is just what we need for the children to go back to school with. The parents appreciate it and I appreciate it so much.”

Kinecta’s 2021 “Back-to-School Backpack Challenge” supports children from community partners, including Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center, Environmental Charter, Community’s Child, Parents of Watts, Richstone Family Center, GRYD Foundation, Thomas House Family Shelter, Los Angeles Police Department Southeast Division, St. Albert the Great School, Watts/Century Latino Organization, among others.

“We are so proud that this is our 12th year hosting this backpack giveaway for families in need,” Latrice McGlothin, Executive Director, Kinecta Community Foundation, said in a statement. “Local families spend over $200 per student each academic year on supplies, and our hope is that this will relieve some of the burden.”

About Kinecta Federal Credit Union

Kinecta Federal Credit Union is the country’s 35th largest credit union, with assets of $6.4 billion and 285,000 member-owners. Our 800+ employees serve members from 31 branches, a variety of specialty offices, and highly responsive call centers on both coasts. Banking the Southern California area for more than 80 years, with recent expansion to Northern California, New York, and New Jersey, Kinecta offers its members a full range of financial products through the Credit Union and its subsidiaries, Kinecta Wealth Management and Kinecta Insurance Services.