More than 4,000 backpacks donated to Boston kids to "start the school year off right"

It was a backpack giveaway in Boston unlike any other. More than 4,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were donated this week by the Corey C. Griffin Foundation.

"It's so exciting for someone to get new backpacks, new supplies to start the school year off right," foundation founder Cathy Griffin said. "I feel like we have 4,000 new friends. Everybody's happy, everybody's cheerful."

Dorchester Park in Boston was packed with kids and families for the annual Corey C. Griffin Back to School event. Several organizations like the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers and St. John Paul II Academy Lower Mills Campus took part in the cookout event, playing games, receiving prizes and being supplied with everything they need to start the school year off on the right foot. 

"These organizations are so near and dear to our heart because of their passion and dedication for kids," foundation president Chandra Clark said. "We really come together as a community to rally around kids, pouring love into their lives, supporting them and for this event helping them get ready for another successful school year."

Former New England Patriot and three-time Super Bowl champion Matthew Slater also took part in the event. 

"The foundation has become synonymous with this community and the Greater Boston Community," he said. "It's now starting to have a generational impact on children and families."

The line for families extended down the street and around the corner. The popularity of this event grows each year as the need to help more families from underserved communities throughout Massachusetts increases. 

"There's notebooks, there's markers, there's crayons, there's sticky notes, there's paper, there's folders, there's binders - it's full," Cathy Griffin said. 

Kids and families left the event fully supplied and ready to learn. 

"I hope they feel loved. I think we're very driven by the love of Christ and the work that we do and we want them to feel loved and seen and cared about, and get excited about the new school year," Slater said.