Hoffman’s donating backpacks to ChildNet

Want to help an abused, abandoned or neglected child?

Buy a new school backpack, then head to your loc al Hoffman’s Chocolates and donate it to the store.

As part of its annual Backpack Drive, the gourmet chocolate company will give you a free ice cream sundae and donate the backpack to ChildNet, an agency that works to help kids.

The drive runs until Aug. 10. Palm Beach County schools open Aug. 13.

“This is huge for us,” said Kenny Brighton, ChildNet’s director of community relations. “We want to make sure every one of our kids are prepared to walk into school and be successful, and a big part of that is having the correct backpack and school supplies.”

The offer is limited to one Hoffman’s Chocolate’s ice cream sundae per donated school backpack. The company said no drawstring bags, messenger bags or fanny packs will be accepted.

There are six participating locations: Greenacres, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Delray Beach, Plantation and Weston.

Lois Marino, director of community engagement for Hoffman’s Chocolates, said the store understands how expensive back-toschool items can be.

“Every year for the past three years we’ve hosted a Backpack Drive,” Marino said. “This year we selected ChildNet to be the recipient of the backpacks. They do so much for the community.”

ChildNet has been a partner of Hoffman’s Chocolates for years, Marino said.