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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]These seem to be done everywhere now by various charitable organizations.  While I appreciate their intent, I wish there was a way to to know which kids actually need that backpack.  When I was a kid, I used my backpacks until they broke apart.  I didn't get a new one every year.  I get that one of the reasons they are given is to be a bag for the school supplies also being given out.  And I get that many of these kids live chaotic lives where the backpack may have been lost or destroyed or taken by their parents for their use.  Still, I can't get past the idea that people are just being given these at will every year.  [b]Worse yet are the parents who go from event to event to collect all the backpacks from everywhere[/b].

This is really a general complaint from those who seek to take advantage.  The parents who go from event to event to get toys donated by Toys for Tots, etc.  Instead of just going to one to get their toys.[/quote]

I think there’s little fraud of this type.

As a teacher, I see that the donated backpacks are usually the super cheap kind that barely make it through 180 school days let alone multiple years. People rarely donate LLBean quality bags. They are usually the vinyl or plasticky type. The zippers break, the bottom of the bag rips or the straps come apart at the seams. I buy quality bags at the thrift store to give students who need a replacement.

Another issue is that the donated bags are often too small for what middle schoolers and high schoolers need. Our students are asked to carry a three inch binder and PE clothing. That doesn’t fit in the cute bags that people like to donate and chain stores often position near the register for that purpose.[/quote]

This.  They are the $5 bags, not $50.[/quote]

Yep.  I have seen people brag about finding cheap backpacks to donate.  There heart is in a good place, but I imagine the kids are lucky if they last a year.[/quote]

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