Community Impact & Media

2017 · The First Backpack Giveaway

Richmond roots. A community vision. County meeting minutes documented Marcus Byrd-Ray’s plans with Richmond Ceasefire for the first BBQ and backpack giveaway at Shields-Reid Community Center in August 2017.

The early effort connected school-readiness support with mentoring and positive community relationships.

Source: North Richmond Municipal Advisory Council · August 1, 2017

2019 · Backpacks, Books and Community

Third annual backpack giveaway · September 22, 2019

Richmond Confidential reported that the gathering at Shields-Reid Community Center distributed about 120 backpacks with school supplies. The event, held with Ya-NEEMA Healing Circle & Supportive Services, also brought families together for games, storytelling, music and community-resource information.

This is a documented result from one event, not a lifetime total.

Read: Helping the Richmond community, one backpack at a time

2025 · School Supplies at Buy Back the Jets

North Richmond · August 2, 2025

At Richmond LAND’s Buy Back the Jets block party and housing-resource fair, Change for FiveHundred contributed a free backpack giveaway. The event connected residents with homeownership information and family activities.

Coverage by The Contra Costa Pulse documents our backpack contribution within that larger community gathering.

Read The Contra Costa Pulse’s August 11, 2025 coverage

Our Community Archive

Explore the Media tab for Alive & Free history, Nick Cannon Mornings recognition, KRON 4 coverage, our community documentary, backpack giveaways and Oakland family service.

2025 highlights: Buy Back the Jets on August 2; Shields-Reid on August 22; and Fresh Image Boutique in Antioch on August 30.

Help Write the Next Chapter

Support the 2026 Holiday Toy Giveaway or the Roosevelt Student-Athlete Strength & Wellness Center. Volunteer, sponsor, donate goods or share your professional skills.

Connect with Marcus · 209-998-0872

The Journey Behind the Mission

Founder Marcus Byrd-Ray Sr.’s commitment to youth and families grew from his own journey toward education, encouragement and community service. Alive & Free / Omega Boys Club is part of that story.

2015 — A new direction. KTVU featured Marcus Byrd of Richmond as he prepared to attend Laney College. He described the value of a supportive, nonjudgmental space and learning to resist peer pressure. Alive & Free’s 2015 annual report also includes testimony under Marcus Byrd Ray’s name about his future and education.

2017 — Giving back. Coverage of the University of San Francisco’s California Prize for Alive & Free and Dr. Joseph E. Marshall Jr. included Marcus’s reflections on the program’s impact. Change for FiveHundred was founded in 2017 to help turn care into practical support for youth and families.

2019 — Community in action. Alive & Free shared a video of Marcus’s third annual backpack giveaway in Richmond. Watch the recap below and explore the original reporting.

KTVU: Omega Boys Club, July 31, 2015 · Alive & Free 2015 Annual Report · Oakland Post / USF News, March 9, 2017 · Alive & Free: 2019 giveaway video

Serving Families During COVID-19

Fourth Annual Drive-Through Backpack Giveaway — January 9, 2021

Change for FiveHundred and Ya-NEEMA organized a contactless drive-through giveaway at Shields-Reid Community Center in North Richmond. Event materials listed backpacks, school supplies, face masks and COVID safety items, with families asked to stay in their vehicles.

The original flyer credits Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Contra Costa Alumnae Chapter, and Chevron as sponsors.

View the original COVID giveaway flyer and announcement