Yolo County, CA (MPG) - Thanks to the 2023 Big Day of Giving event on May 4, YCCA supporters raised enough funds to bring more than 700 children backpacks this summer... and counting!

Big Day of Giving is a program hosted by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation with the purpose of inspiring philanthropy in California’s capital region. Also known as ‘BDOG’, the 24- hour fundraising effort occurred on May 4, 2023, and brought more than $13.8 million 750+ nonprofits in the Sacramento region! Of those nonprofits, more than 120 are Yolo County based.

YCCA was amongst those nonprofits and raised funds specific to our annual Backpack Giveaway program. In 2022, Yolo County Children's Alliance family support services were accessed more than 75,000 times, and of those services, 5,600 families were a part of our community resource event services, including our Backpack Giveaway Program, Community Giveaway Day, and Toy Distribution.

For the 2023 Big Day of Giving, YCCA focused on raising a goal amount of $20,000 for their annual Backpack Giveaway program. In 2022, YCCA supplied more than 1,600 students with backpacks, supplies, and health resources throughout Yolo County. The need is rapidly rising as inflation disproportionately affects the families who are most in need of extra support, and YCCA is anticipating supporting more than 2,000 students this year. Big Day of Giving is a campaign that helps meet those rising needs, not only through monetary contributions, but also by helping bring awareness to our resources, and our mission.

“YCCA’s Backpack Giveaway program has been a staple in the communities we serve for more than seven years. Each year, especially since the pandemic, we’ve seen a significant increase in need for basic needs and concrete supports,” said Jeneba Lahai, Executive Director of Yolo County Children’s Alliance. “Over the years, YCCA has worked to build partnerships with sponsors like PG&E, in-kind supporters like West Sac Kids Give Back, the County’s school districts, individual donors, and non-profit focused suppliers to be able to increase the supply for families to meet that need. YCCA leverages in-kind donations, partner and business support, and BDOG donations to ensure each child receives unique and complete support to be the best student they can be! With basic needs met, families and students can focus on strengthening their ties to each other, their communities, and their schools.”

Big Day of Giving is about giving regionally; the idea is that if everyone gives a little, we can make a big impact. YCCA is proud to support our partner nonprofits who we work with throughout the year: West Sac Mercy Coalition, Empower Yolo, Yolo Crisis Nursery, Communicare, RISE Inc., Downtown Streets Team, Yolo County CASA, Yolo Food Bank, Fourth & Hope, and the Yolo Community Foundation.

For Big Day of Giving, YCCA raised $18,355 towards this effort, committing support to more than 730 children! Although BDOG is over, the efforts to raise funds, in-kind donations, and volunteer support is far from over. YCCA will still be collecting donations for their Backpack Program at www.BigDayofGiving.org/YCCA until their annual Backpack Giveaway Day in early August. For information on how to support YCCA through sponsorships, in-kind donations or school supply drives, and/or by volunteering, please email Katie Durham, Resource & Development Manager at [email protected]