All Big Island police stations are serving as drop-off points in a drive to collect used backpacks for children in need.

The drive continues through September.

The backpacks will be distributed to children at women's shelters, homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities. Backpacks have been identified as the most-requested item for children's charities in Hawai'i and elsewhere.

Police Chief Harry S. Kubojiri said that the public may continue to drop off backpacks after the drive ends, and that police will pass them along to appropriate nonprofit agencies.

The two principal organizations coordinating the backpack drive are the Office for Social Ministry and From Kids For Kids. Other agencies will also participate.

From Kids For Kids was founded in 2006 by Big Island resident Nani Welch Keliihoomalu, then 10, to encourage kids to donate to each other.