After almost 20 years, the Syracuse community has grown to enjoy Mary Nelson's annual school supply giveaway. Last year, roughly 12,000 backpacks with the essentials inside were provided. Students and families come to get what they need, but it's also a celebration with food, games, music, and more.

"The atmosphere is going to be there, but we won't have our kids,” Mary Nelson said, “I look forward to seeing the kids walk around the big barbecue."

What You Need To Know


  • Mary Nelson’s 19th annual school supply giveaway will be virtual this year

  • Nelson and her team will work with schools directly to get students what they need

  • The giveaway is August 15

  • Donations can be dropped off at 130 Wood Avenue in Syracuse through August 12

Due to the pandemic, Nelson had to adjust to a virtual event. She's been collecting backpacks since last year's giveaway. Families can still register like before, but Nelson and her team will now work with schools directly to ensure students have what they need.

"I count how many kids I got in that school. I will send an extra 200 backpacks, so kids who did not register, they have their backpacks and school supplies," Nelson explained. "So, I'm going by the count, by the school this year. If they tell me 800, I will send them 800, plus another 200, so the kids who are not registered, they have what they need."

Despite the change, Nelson already expects to exceed the 12,000 backpacks she gave away last year. She's keeping the supplies in a storage container at her home, which is in the heart of Syracuse's Southside. It's an area, like others in the city that is not immune to violence.

"Not even five houses from where I live at, my brother was murdered."

An issue she's also been working to address for a long time.

"We gotta start speaking up, that's the only way it's going to stop,” Nelson said, “We can't look for the mayor; we can't look for the chief of police. We have to start as a community saying, 'no.'"

For Nelson, her approach is outreach, whether through backpacks or helping families impacted by violence in the community, is simple: "If you want love, you have to give love."

Nelson's virtual backpack giveaway is August 15. To register, or for more information, stop by the Mary Nelson Youth Center at 2849 South Salina Street in Syracuse.

School supply donations can be dropped off at 130 Wood Avenue in Syracuse through August 12.

Nelson is also hosting a community forum to address the recent violence 

That's on July 17 at 11 a.m. at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, which is located at 515 Oakwood Avenue in Syracuse.