State Sen. Ted Deutsch came by to recognize Office Depot and the cities of Delray Beach and Boca Raton for the work they've done to make sure that every student who needs a backpack gets one.

Office Depot Foundation President Mary Wong brought 500 backpacks to Delray Beach completing an endeavour that helped half a dozen Delray Beach organizations strap backpacks on to students.

Johnny Bennett came to collect 150 backpacks for students of all ages, Bennett is the director at the Beacon Center/Family Resource Center at 400 SW 12th Ave.

"We're part of the Achievement Center as well in Delray Beach. Together we represent 700 school children. That's 700 children who use our services, 150 of which will have brand new colorful backpacks," Bennett said.

Lt. Coleman of the Delray Beach Police Department is recognized by the Office Depot personnel at the event. Coleman has been instrumental in the recent success of the Office Depot backpack giveaways in Delray Beach.

Lt. Coleman from the Delray Beach Police Department received a pink backpack, and plans to donate 75 backpacks to the Delray Beach Public Library.

"I see these kids benefiting from the free backpacks on a daily basis," Coleman said.

Wong said pink backpacks are extremely popular during the giveaway, something that Office Depot, previously based in Delray Beach, and now based in Boca Raton, has been doing for nine years.

"The pink backpacks were very popular in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. I was approached by a little girl who wanted a pink backpack. The Office Depot Foundation had hundreds made... Now we give out thousands of pink backpacks free of charge to students," Wong said.

Office Depot Foundation President Mary Wong (left) and Mayor Woodie McDuffie (second from left) promote the backpacks during the event. Wong and McDuffie are flanked by the Military Trail Office Depot manager and Office Depot representative.

Mayor Woodie McDuffie, Delray Beach City Commission Member Fred Fetzer, Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce's Beth Johnston, the Downtown Marketing Cooperative's Marjorie Ferrer, the S.D. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum's Daisy Fulton, Charlene Jones, Brandy Brownlee and Florida State Sen. Ted Deutsch, were in attendance as well as 50 or so local dignitaries and schools children.

Students represent the Hispano-Latino Cultural Alliance located at 1107 SW Ninth Ave. in Delray Beach.

The Delray Beach Public Library Backpack Giveaway is at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 at 3 p.m. on the first floor of the library near the children's section.