United Way of New York City’s Build A Backpack Drive Success

UNITED WAY OF NEW YORK CITY'S BUILD-A-BACKPACK DRIVE SUCCESSFULLY EQUIPS OVER 2,000 NYC STUDENTS FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON

NEW YORK CITY - September 3, 2024 - United Way of New York City (UWNYC)is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its 2024 Build-a-Backpack Drive. For approximately a decade, this annual community-wide effort has supported students across New York City as they prepare for the school year. Thanks to the dedication and generosity of more than 300 corporate partner volunteers and donors, over 2,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies were distributed to students in need throughout the five boroughs.

The Build-a-Backpack Drive is a cornerstone of UWNYC's commitment to addressing educational disparities and ensuring that every child in New York City has the tools needed for success. Stemming from insights about challenges that undermine academic achievement in marginalized communities, the drive was more critical than ever this year. The average household in the United States spent $890.07 for back-to-school supplies in 2023 and that number is likely to increase this year. Caregivers struggle to buy school supplies for their children while covering other essentials like rent and groceries, with 50 percent of working age New Yorkers unable to make ends meet, according to UWNYC's True Cost of Livingreport. By mobilizing corporate volunteers and partnering with community-based organizations, UWNYC aimed to ease this burden for families and help students start the school year on the right foot.

Adequate school supplies determine the confidence and preparedness of students, and is also linked to academic performance. According to a report by the Kids in Need Foundation, 77% of teachers saw an increase in students' class participation when they had proper school supplies.

"This drive is about far more than building a backpack-it is about answering the call to increase equity and ensure that all students have the resources needed to thrive, no matter what community they call home. That is why I am grateful to our partners for their support which allows us to address obstacles for our most vulnerable students," said Melissa A. Browne, SVP, Chief Development Officer at UWNYC. "Programs like this are vital, as education is a catalyst for empowerment and economic mobility."

Over the course of several weeks, corporate partners hosted backpack-packing events where volunteers assembled kits tailored to the needs of students from underserved communities. The kits, curated with input from teachers at partner schools and districts, included everything from notebooks and pens to personal hygiene products, ensuring students were fully equipped for a successful academic year. These events took place at various corporate partner locations, including:

• CIBC
• David Yurman
• Deloitte
• Eli Lilly
• Ernst & Young
• JP Morgan Chase & Co.
• Kyndryl
• S&P Global
• UBS
• Orrick
• Weil, Gotshal, & Manges LLP

The backpacks were then distributed to students through community partner organizations.

"It is critical that students are positioned for success from the very beginning of the school year," said Ann M. Vermes, UWNYC Board member and Chief Operating Officer - Litigation at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. "Initiatives like this make a strongly positive impact for students, our leaders of tomorrow. I am proud to be a part of this important work."

For more information about UWNYC and how to get involved, please visit https://unitedwaynyc.org/

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.