American Licorice Donates School Supplies

American Licorice Co. teamed up with the Kids In Need Foundation to support Bay Area students by purchasing, shipping and distributing more than 1,700 backpacks in Union City and Hayward, Calif., on Aug. 26-27.

The event was part of the Union City-based candy company's continued partnership with Kids in Need, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to furnishing free school supplies to economically disadvantaged schoolchildren and underfunded teachers. 

American Licorice employees distributed the backpacks to the students using some of their 16 annual paid volunteer hours.

“This grant from American Licorice ensures that many Union City students will receive essential school supplies to help make a meaningful difference in their lives,” said Dave Smith, executive director of Kids In Need Foundation. “It gives us great joy to know that on the first day of school, these students will receive a new backpack filled with supplies including pencils and paper, so they can begin the new school year with the tools they need to learn.”

The 100-year-old candy company focuses its charitable donations toward improving education around Union City where its Red Vines licorice is manufactured. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to give back to the community and provide this resource for the families and children,” said Steve Walters, markets and economic analyst and charitable committee member at American Licorice.