Backpacks 4 Good distributes over 2,200 backpacks to students in need

Cars were wrapped around the Hensley Legal Group Greenwood location Friday for the kickoff of the sixth Backpacks 4 Good giveaway.

Since Backpacks 4 Good began in 2021, more than 50,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies have been distributed to students throughout the state.

Every child left with a backpack in their favorite color full of supplies, including:

• Wide ruled notebook.
• 2 Colorful pocket folders.
• Classic No.2 pencils.
• Pencil sharpener.
• Pencil pouch.
• Crayons.
• Glue stick.
• 5″ scissors.
• Water bottle.

Mitch Waldroup, an attorney with Hensley Legal Group, says the firm is always looking for ways to give back to the community.

“Whether it’s dog, pet adoptions, or, you know, giving out kits around Thanksgiving time, everybody needs school supplies, right? And it’s something where you have a really large impact on the community and get the students started on off on the right foot,” Waldroup said.

Ryan Kreicker, the director of IT and Digital Marketing with Hensley Legal Group, says that as a former English teacher, he knows firsthand just how great the need is.

“We had a mother who took an Uber to our event in Fishers last year. She didn’t have enough money to drive home. She was gonna walk with her kids home. So, we drove her home. I mean, that’s how much the need is,” Kreicker said.

Backpacks 4 Good also distributes backpacks and supplies to community partners, including Christian Faith Missionary Baptist Church, for other giveaways. With the church was Ciara Maxey, who shared just how important this partnership is for the families they serve.

“We get to use the funds that we get from other sources to go towards other things like groceries, more back to school items and out raffle items this year,” Maxey said.

In 2026, Backpacks 4 Good plans to hand out 10,000 backpacks across the state through four giveaway events, including the over 2,200 distributed in Greenwood Friday. Waldroup shared just how special it is to see the students’ excitement each year.

“They just rip them [the backpacks] right open and then they’re able to see all the stuff they’re getting and just kinda get excited for the school year,” Waldroup said.

Pre-registration is recommended but not required for the any of the backpack giveaway events. Whether your student needs a backpack or you simply want to help another student in need, more information can be found here.

Below are the remaining backpack giveaways:

Saturday, Jul. 25: Fishers, Ind. 11 a.m. -1 p.m. 8350 Sunlight Dr., Fishers, IN 46037.

Tuesday, Aug. 4: Evansville, Ind. 12 p.m.-2 p.m. CST. 417 N. Main St., Evansville, IN 47711

Friday, Aug. 7: South Bend, Ind. 10 a.m. -12 p.m. Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium. 501 W South St, South Bend, IN 46601