A Garland police officer is making sure kids in his neighborhood head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.
Anthony Allen is a patrol officer with the Garland Police Department.
He joined the department about four years ago, briefly took time off to be a teacher at Allen ISD, and is now back with the police department.
However, his time spent at a school made him realize what many students were missing.
"As a public school teacher I found that the number one reason that some students weren't successful was that they were not prepared," he said.
On Tuesday, at a barber shop in Garland, Allen handed out 72 backpacks along with other supplies to kids of all ages.
Allen and his wife purchased all of the backpacks with their own money.
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"Ultimately I love Garland, and I want to see the young people thrive," he said.
Next year, Allen is hoping to double the size of the backpack giveaway.
