Approximately 1,500 backpacks will be given away at this year’s Char’s Konnected Back Pack Event. Photo designed by Magnific

RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) – Konnected Clothing, a socially-driven, Rio Linda-based clothing line is hosting its 11th annual Char’s Konnected Back Pack Event at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug 1.

The event offers free backpacks, school supplies and hair cuts to children in the Rio Linda community before the beginning of the school year. Its organizer, Tommy Hall, is Konnected Clothing co-founder and the 2025 Community Champion for Rio Linda and Elverta.

According to Hall, Konnected Clothing started with the mission of reshaping how people view formerly incarcerated individuals by providing housing and resources.

“We all have a checkered past and do what we can nowadays to make a difference in our community,” Hall said.

The annual backpack giveaway has been a longstanding tradition of the company, as Hall believes this type of work begins with providing children with the tools they need to succeed.

“Maybe they won’t ever need me to help them later on when they get out of prison if we can help them get what they need for an education,” Hall said.

The event has grown each year, according to Hall. Last year, 1,800 fully stocked backpacks were given away directly to kids in the community. Highlights of previous years included snow cones and donuts, as well as free haircuts by local barbers.

A donation from the Optimist Club of Sacramento cleared just in time for this year’s event, during which 1,500 backpacks will be given away. 300 backpacks were purchased by Konnected Clothing, a registered non-profit, in addition to donations.

Fishing rods will also be given out this year thanks to a community donation. “Maybe we can get sone if these kids off the Xbox and out fishing,” Hall said.

According to Hall, the event is named in honor of a child in the community who passed away of a fentanyl overdose.

“She loved this event, so we added her name to the top of it,” Hall said. “It’s gonna be done in her memory as long as I’m doing it.”

Char’s Konnected Back Pack Event will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 998 Oak Lane, Rio Linda, until supplies run out.