WORCESTER, Mass. — A local nonprofit is aiming to collect more than 3,000 backpacks to give away for the school year.

508 Forever Young is collecting backpacks and school supplies for their 6th annual backpack drive.

Court officer Woodrow Adams Jr. who started the nonprofit, is asking for donations of backpacks of all sizes and supplies including writing utensils, paper, binders and calculators. He said they especially need backpacks for middle and high school students.

People can drop off donations at several locations throughout the city, along with Staples stores in Auburn, Shrewsbury and Westborough.

“So as we all know, it has been a tough couple of years here with the pandemic and everything else going on,” he said. “A lot of kids are struggling with the social aspect now, going back to school. We want to give them the tools that they need to succeed so that they are not behind the eight ball. We want to make sure they go to school prepared and ready to learn and focused. Outside the learning aspect, social anxiety, the last thing we want is for them to be behind because they don’t have the tools.”

The giveaway will be Saturday, Aug. 6 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Fuller Family Park in Worcester.

The event will feature free food, games and haircuts.

Adams also has a new goal this year of donating 200 backpacks to a school in Liberia.