Brooklyn men organize bookbag giveaways to support local families

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Two Brooklyn men have teamed up to put together a series of pop-up bookbag giveaways in East New York on Broadway and Stewart Avenue.

Hailing from Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville respectively, Ace Clark and Greg Purnell hope that families and children are able to find help and hope.

Clark says he started the pop-ups four years ago when he lost his job. A well-known songwriter and an accomplished book author, he has turned his focus on community outreach and says it is his true calling.

Clark and Purnell use their own funds to help make the pop-ups happen. Clark says the events are so successful he wants to host these types of giveaways year-round.

Catrease Miller and her 7-year-old son Byron Wilson came from Canarsie, after hearing about the pop-up from a friend. Four-year-old Anareli Gutierrez from Bushwick, who is starting Pre-K, received a new book bag.

The pop-ups are not just for young men. Next week, there will be a program for young women at a place called Bombshell Bodega at 274 Fulton Street. The event will be held on Sunday, September 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.