KARINA'S STORY
Since 2006 my family started taking service trips every other year to places like India, Cambodia, Peru and Zambia. These trips brought my family and cousins together, which bonded us in ways we didn’t expect. I saw incredible poverty on these service trips, but I was also inspired by the community spirit in the villages. Helping build a playground for a school, I also played with the kids and taught English. They were eager to learn and to be independent, and I discovered a sense of joy from being able to help make a difference. The love for their families and village made a lasting impression on me.
This made me reflect on what needs I can fulfill within my own community in Orange County, California. So I created a goal to give away 5000 backpacks filled with school supplies for children locally. I realized that back-to-school time can be stressful for many families because there are many things that come with a new school year such as backpacks, textbooks, supplies, and even clothes which we all know can be really expensive. My wish is to contribute to the creation of communities that can make young people independent. These backpacks will be filled with items to foster their independence.
But backpacks are just one piece of the puzzle and after a lot of consideration I decided I wanted to bring the community together for a day of festivities so we can all bond as a community. I hope you will join us for our first event and be a part of helping youth and serving our community!
Karina’s Backpack Project is partnering with Joy of Sharing Foundation to help bring the the mission to life. Joy of Sharing Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (TAX ID 37-1697719).
2020 Backpacks Giveaway Recap
The 2020 Signature event was cancelled as a result of COVID-19 since it is deemed a large event. Karina and the Karina's Backpack Project Team worked directly with the school districts and community partners to distribute backpacks, supplies and masks safely to 15,000 students and ensure they are ready for school when schools reopen.
Thanks to the following partners who helped support our distribution this year:
- Dreams for Schools
- Santa Ana Unified School District
- YMCA Anaheim
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach
- El Sol Science and Arts Academy of Santa Ana
- Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District
- Boyle Heights/South LA Communities
- Advance Beauty College in Garden Grove
- The MovingForwardTogether Coalition
- Suja Juice
- Cal Optima
- Skyview School
- West Coast Warehouse
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Higher Ground
- Tiyya Foundation
- Skyview Elementary
- Ednovate School
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Orange County
- SAHARA
We are thankful for all of your understanding as we make the shifts required to keep everyone healthy and safe during this time. With the need being high and our impact being greater, we hope you will support us by donating as we help support the students.
2020 Holiday Drive by Karina's Backpack Project
Helping bring joy to kids during the holiday season!
We're working with 3 different partners to provide gifts for 1000 children this holiday season!
We're excited to be partnering with Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Families Forward and the MIgrant Education Program OC & SD.
Help purchase a gift for a child from our Amazon Registry at before December 5 or Donate directly to support the project at:
All gifts will be wrapped by the Karina's Backpack Team, Family & Friends!
Gifts will be distributed with partners in Garden Grove directly with kids & families!
2019 EVENT RECAP
5500 backpacks with supplies
& hygiene kits distributed
600+ Haircuts
by Advance Beauty College
15+ Carnival Games
& Interactive Stations
24 Local Nonprofits & Resources
Entertainment & Performances
by 3 groups
Groceries, Produce & Meals
by OC Foodbank, CAPOC, Bracken's
Kitchen & Solutions for Urban Ag
PARTNERS
This initiative wouldn't be possible with wonderful partners in the community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please email us at [email protected]
NON-PROFITS
We partner with non-profits and education systems who have kids at the heart of their mission. Reach out to us and let's impact our community, together.
COMPANIES
We are dedicated to bringing together the companies to help advance programs like these which enhance the student experience & support families in the community.
GOVERNMENT
We partner with government officials to highlight the importance of supporting our youth & make an impact in the community, together.
Thanks to our 2019 Event Partners
Outreach Partners
- Ednovate Schools
- Tiyya Foundation
- Anaheim Elementary School District
- Centralia School District
- Garden Grove Unified School District
- CASA OC
- Big Brothers & Sisters of
- Higher Ground
- Child Abuse Prevention Center of Orange County
- Magnolia School District
- Anaheim YMCA
- OCAPICA
- Orange Unified School District
- Center for Healthy Neighborhoods
- Samueli Academy
- Orangewood Foundation
- Santa Ana Unified School District
- High School Inc.
- El Sol Academy
- Think Together
- Scholarship Prep School
- Charters OC & CCSA
- Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
- Raise Foundation
- Boys & Girls Club Central Orange Coast
- Children's Bureau
- Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove
- Kaleidascope OC
- Kid Works
- Child Guidance Center, Inc
- Pathways Community Services
- American Career College
- Project Hope Alliance
NEWS
Take Five: Meet Karina Tarsadia, Sage Hill School sophomore and philanthropist
STU News Newport - December 1, 2020
When you imagine what a philanthropist looks like, you might not think of a high school sophomore – but Sage Hill School sophomore Karina Tarsadia has created a nonprofit to help other local students, and she will be recognized on November 19 at the 35th Annual National Philanthropy Day Awards program.
Karina's Backpack Project Donates 6,000 Backpacks to 10 Santa Ana Unified School District Schools
Santa Ana Unified School District - September 15, 2020
Karina’s Backpack Project, in partnership with the Joy of Sharing Foundation and Dreams for Schools, kicked off its 2020 backpack distribution campaign at Madison Elementary School in the Santa Ana Unified School District.
National Philanthropy Day Event Honors Newport Residents and Businesses
Newport Beach Independent - September 3, 2020
Every November, hundreds of philanthropists, business people and volunteers come together at a special National Philanthropy Day Orange County luncheon to honor those who have demonstrated philanthropy and enhanced their communities and the world.
A teen's backpack project helps thousands
OC Register - August 6, 2019
Thousands of children and their parents packed the parking lot at Angel Stadium on Sunday morning — not in advance of an Angels game, but rather to receive a free backpack filled with school supplies fromKarina’s Backpack Project by the Joy of Sharing.
The project was created to provide low-income families with supplies for elementary- and middle-school students.
Thousands of kids now ready for school after backpack, school supply giveaway in Anaheim
OC Register - August 5, 2019
Thousands of children and their parents packed the parking lot at Angel Stadium, Sunday morning, Aug. 4 — not in advance of an Angels game, but rather to receive a free backpack filled with school supplies from Karina’s Backpack Project by the Joy of Sharing.
'Karina's Backpack Project': 15-year-old girls starts campaign to bring school supplies to kids
Foxla - August 2, 2019
Karina Tarsadia, 15, started a campaign called “Karina’s Backpack Project” to provide kids in her community with backpacks full of school supplies. She’s stopped by FOX 11 News with Nithin Jilla, the CEO of the organization, to talk about her program.
Karina’s Backpack Project To Give Away 5,000 Backpacks At Angel Stadium On August 4
Anaheim Blog - July 30, 2019
On August 4th, 2019 from 10:00am to 4:00pm, Angel Stadium will proudly host Karina’s Backpack Project. Fueled by Karina’s passion to create community connection, the event will provide low income families with elementary and middle school student supplies, resources and services for a successful school year.
Karina's Backpack Project
Greer's OC - July 29, 2019
Karina Tarsadia, a 14-year-old Orange County native who has been immersed in the art of giving back from an early age has decided to follow her passion and start a movement to foster independence among youth. On Sunday, August 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Angel Stadium will proudly host Karina’s Backpack Project.
Karina Tarsadia is a bold 14 year old philanthropist who joined Bart in the studio to discuss her passion for giving back.
The Zandbergen Report - July 22, 2019
Karina has traveled the globe with her family on service trips and decided earlier this year that she really wanted to have an impact right here in her own backyard in Orange County.
The Power of Young People to Change the World
Tarsadia Foundation
There has never been a social movement in history without young people at the forefront, and this generation is no different. Young people today are deeply concerned with the social, political and environmental issues that we’re all faced with, yet are uniquely optimistic about their own ability to shape a better future.
VOLUNTEER
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Karina’s Backpack Project. We thrive on volunteers for our events - from a company who's interested in engaging your employees or an individual or family or community member.
Please check back for volunteer opportunities.
DONATE
An annual community-based initiative that offers elementary and middle school students supplies, resources and services for a successful school year.