Coachella Valley Rescue Mission gives away thousands of backpacks to valley students

Thousands of students were gifted new school supplies at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission's annual 'Backpack Bonanza' giveaway Saturday.

"You want to be able to start your school year off right and having what you need, instead of trying to wonder where you're gonna get it from," says Kristen Crawford with the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.

The organization collected 2,500 backpacks throughout the valley, filled them with supplies, and handed them out to students attending pre-k all the way through high school.

Floyd Rhoades, Chairman of the Board of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is thankful for the community's support.

Both donations and volunteers helped this year's drive come together.

"Probably 75 to 100 (volunteers) I mean, setting this thing up, all day yesterday, all day today," says Rhoades.

Cars were filled with dozens of kids waiting to get their backpacks and the tools to help them succeed.