While all students face academic challenges, the educational playing field remains uneven.
In our community, 54% of children live below the poverty line, unable to afford essential school supplies.

You read that correctly. 1 in every 2 local students cannot afford basic school supplies and comes to school empty-handed.

Can you imagine how that feels to a child? Showing up to school knowing you’re unprepared and do not have the same tools as your classmates, but there isn’t anything you can do about it. A backpack PACKED with supplies can immediately lift that anxiety and dread and transform a student’s confidence.

Also? It alleviates the financial strain and stress on our dedicated teachers.

On August 8, Classroom Central’s Backpacks & Basics initiative will ensure that every student in our area’s highest-need schools will receive a backpack filled with the school supplies they need for the new school year. With the help of more than 700 volunteers, Classroom Central will pack and distribute
35,000+ backpacks to students across our area.

Check out last year’s sizzle reel for Backpacks and Basics 2023!