TAMPA - The DeBartolo Family Foundation recently presented $70,000 in grants through its community funding program, which was established in 2001 to assist local organizations.

The recipients include Big Cat Rescue, the Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County, the Franciscan Friars, the Hillsborough Education Foundation, the Junior League of Tampa, the Life Enrichment Center, Mort Elementary School Early Exceptional Learning Program, Ovacome of Tampa Bay Foundation, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa Marine Institute and Very Special Arts of Florida.

In addition, the Glazer Family Foundation kicked off its 2008 Backpack It Back to School program at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp.

Fourteen community groups are distributing 1,500 backpacks to children in need. The organizations include the Corporation to Develop Communities, Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, Project Link, the NFL/Youth Education Town Centers of Tampa Bay and Abe Brown Ministries.