Miami Gardens community backpack drive helps families prepare for back-to-school season

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Families in Miami Gardens received a helping hand ahead of the new school year as Unity on the Bay hosted its annual Community Backpack Drive, providing thousands of children with free school supplies, backpacks, and a day filled with fun.

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The event, held Saturday at 17800 Northwest 25th Avenue, brought together children and families for a back-to-school celebration featuring games, snacks, face painting, prizes, and a lively dance party where kids joined in on the Cha Cha Slide and enjoyed a bounce house.

Before the celebration began, families lined up to receive backpacks filled with essential school supplies, including pencils, highlighters, folders, binders, crayons, and other classroom necessities. Children also enjoyed activities like Jenga, sweet treats and icy refreshments.

“I got a backpack and an umbrella,” said third grader Bella as she showed off some of the items received at the event.

Another children shared excitement over the supplies they collected, including a book bag, highlighters, pencils, and a binder.

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This year marks the 21st year of Unity on the Bay’s Community Backpack Drive, an effort aimed at supporting children in underserved communities.

The organization plans to distribute more than 4,000 backpacks to students locally in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as to children in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and other communities.

Several nonprofit organizations joined the effort, including Boys & Girls Club of Miami Gardens, Touching Miami with Love in Overtown and Homestead, and Pridelines.

Organizers said the goal goes beyond providing school supplies — it is about helping families start the academic year with resources, encouragement, and a sense of community.

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