Back-to-school supply drive short 2,000 backpacks

An annual school supply drive set to take place in two weeks is short over 2,000 backpacks for children in the South Bay.

Sacred Heart Community Service said 3,300 children have signed up to receive items like backpacks, calculators, earbuds and USB drives, but they don't have enough supplies to distribute. Sacred Heart estimates the drive saves families an average of $400 on supplies.

The group has also created 500 kits to donate to local teachers, helping them offset rising costs of living in Silicon Valley paired with inadequate wages.

"Our kits are one way to show that our community cares about our teachers and that we are prepared to help them in any way we can," Roberto Gil of Sacred Heart said in a statement. 

"Ultimately, we must all play a role in helping the next generation achieve success," he said. "Our teachers are not solely responsible for our students' education."

Backpack distribution will take place on Aug. 9 at 1381 South First St. in San Jose. The nonprofit's collection center is open at the same address from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday.

More information on the Pack A Back program is available at www.sacredheartcs.org/pab