OAKLAND (KRON) — UPS employees came to Lockwood School in Oakland on Wednesday to distribute more than 1,500 backpacks loaded with school supplies to students.

For 17 years, they have been working with the Lend a Hand Foundation in making sure young students have backpacks to start the school year.

The foundation has even loftier goals for next year.

“They’re loaded with supplies, pens, pencils, glue, erasers, notebooks, there’s highlighters, everything to make them successful in school,” UPS spokesman Keven O’ Brien said.

“There are about 35,000 students alone in Oakland that are in the free or reduced lunch program,” Lend a Hand Foundation spokeswoman Dee Johnson said. “So, our goal is next year to make sure that happens, that all 35,000 students receive backpacks, so they can have the tools they need.”

The Lend a Hand Foundation is hoping to attract more sponsors to join ups in reaching that goal.