FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – Kelley Automotive Group will again partner with Backpacks of Hope this holiday season to aid the homeless.

Kelley employees and the general public are being encouraged to donate essential items to fill 1,000 backpacks.

Now through Friday, Dec. 7, Kelley Automotive locations will accept items like gloves, rain ponchos, backpacks, blankets, hand/feet warmers, deodorant, toothpaste, razors, lotion, soap/body wash, 2-in-1/3-in-1 shampoo, flashlights and nonperishable food items.

All items should be new/unused and full-size.

Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Tom Kelley Buick GMC, 633 Avenue of Autos, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
• Tom Kelley Cadillac, 811 Avenue of Autos, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
• Tom Kelley Volvo Cars, 860 Avenue of Autos, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
• Kelley Chevrolet, 5220 Value Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
• Tom Kelley Chevrolet Buick, 1313 S. 13^th St., Decatur, IN 46733
• Tom Kelley Ford, 1341 S. 13^th St., Decatur, IN 46733
• Tom Kelley Chrysler Dodge Ram Jeep, 1311 S. 13^th St., Decatur, IN 46733
• BMW of Fort Wayne, 929 Avenue of Autos, Fort Wayne, IN 46804

In addition to donations, volunteers are needed to fill backpacks at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 14, at Tom Kelley Buick GMC. The backpacks will be distributed from 5:30-8 p.m. that day to the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission.

Monetary donations are also being accepted. Checks/cash can be mailed to Backpacks of Hope, 10305 Dawson’s Creek Blvd.

To volunteer, email Maureen Clausen at mclausen@kelleyauto.com.