One San Diego and U-Stor-It Host Backpack Giveaway.

For years, San Diego has been seen as a city split between the prospering neighborhoods north of Interstate 8 and the southern neighborhoods that had been left behind. But Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer, First Lady Katherine Stuart Faulconer, and community leaders created One San Diego to bridge that gap.

One San Diego is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to promoting equal access to economic prosperity, safe and vibrant communities, and an enhanced quality of life to ensure every San Diegan has the opportunity to succeed.
One San Diego supports the interests of neighborhoods citywide and seeks to enrich the lives of all San Diegans through efforts to expand opportunities for local youth, inclusive community engagement, empowering local small business and entrepreneurs to grow San Diego’s economy and building an educated and skilled 21st century workforce.

This past August, One San Diego handed out 1,000 back-to-school backpacks to students at Porter Elementary School in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of San Diego. First Lady Katherine Stuart Faulconer, Honorary Chair of One San Diego, along with San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, Peter Nora, U-Stor-It President, and a number of volunteers from San Diego Police Department, Fire Department, Porter Elementary and U-Stor-It were on hand to help make this event successful.

“We wanted to provide our students with all the tools necessary to be successful,” said Mayor Faulconer. “Something as simple as a backpack can help them stay organized, and for many families, this is one more school expense that we can help with.”

“I am committed to doing everything we can to encourage students to get an excellent education so that they can go on to college or follow a vocational career,” Faulconer shared with Giving Back Magazine. “Regardless of their path, a solid education is going to help them prosper and grow.”

U-Stor-It, located in Lincoln Park, has generously sponsored the giveaway as a way to help local students.

“U-Stor-It has always been actively involved in the communities we serve,” shares Larry Nora, president and owner of U-Stor-It, based in Lincoln Park. “We were honored with the opportunity to partner with One San Diego and Porter Elementary School to host this Back to School Event. We have found these events to be successful over the last decade and are very well received in the community. We are glad we can bring a positive impact within the community and help assist in children’s education.”

This is the second backpack giveaway hosted by One San Diego. Last year the non-profit helped to provide packs to students at Barrio Station.

For more information, visit www.1sandiego.org