Back-to-School Drive Helps 1,163 Children Start School Ready to Learn

Thanks to generous donors, volunteers and community partners, 1,163 children started the school year with backpacks filled with the supplies they need to feel prepared, confident and supported.

The ForKids Back-to-School Drive provided 502 backpacks to community partners and community members, plus 661 backpacks for current and former ForKids participants.

“Feeling good on the first day, knowing you have everything you need — that’s what the ForKids Back-to-School Drive is all about,” said Verneika Griffin, Alumni Program Coordinator. “Because of our donors, volunteers and supporters, kids in our community could step into the classroom ready for a successful year.”

About 135 volunteers helped prepare backpacks for distribution, including individuals and groups from Kaufman & Canoles, Sysco, ZIM, Chase, USI, Realtors Have a Heart, Phoenix Trial Firm, AAA, Growing Up Obici, Junto Women’s Club, Order of the Golden Circle, QVC, Batten University and Cre8forLife.

“It makes me feel good to volunteer! Helping others is the right thing to do,” said Warren Thrasher, a loan officer with Movement Mortgage who volunteered with a group of his peers from the real estate industry. “The best part [of the experience] was keeping a tally of all the backpacks we did, then knowing so many kids would be impacted positively by us.”

Every backpack reflects the generosity of a community that believes every child deserves to walk into school with confidence. Thank you to everyone who gave, volunteered and helped make this year’s drive possible. Your support helps ForKids families start the school year with the tools children need to learn during this new school year and beyond.

Pictured above: A group of volunteers help with ForKids’ Back-to-School drive and distribution.