Claremont nonprofit Children’s Foundation of America, which provides educational support and supplies to local foster youth, is amid its annual back-to-school drive, which provides new backpacks filled with school supplies to hundreds of trauma-affected children.

The deadline for donating new, unused supplies and backpacks is next Friday, July 15. Donors can also shop CFA’s Amazon wish list at https://a.co/geR45ce. Purchases there will ship directly for distribution. Donors can also drop off donations at CFA’s Claremont Village office at 201 N. Indian Hill Blvd., suite 200 (door code: 1966).

More 400,000 children each year are unable to live with their families due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. These children are placed into foster care until a more permanent solution can be found and are often left without the tools needed to succeed.

The mission of the Children’s Foundation of America is to provide an opportunity for every child to heal, learn and thrive.

Additionally, the Children’s Foundation of America provides $55,000 in scholarships each year to foster youth who have aged out of the system. Scholarships support living expenses, textbooks, technology, groceries, student housing, gas money, transportation, and more on the road to independence.

Just 20% of foster youth will enroll in college, compared to 60% of non-fostered kids. Fifty percent will experience being unhoused, and less than 10% will graduate from college without the caring support of a family. To donate to CFA, visit childrensfoundationofamerica.org, send a check to P.O. Box 1210, Claremont, CA 91711, or text “CFA” to 26989 and follow the prompts.

For more information, call (909) 426-0773 or visit childrensfoundationofamerica.org.