Building Backpacks, Building Futures

Throughout the month of July, volunteers from across Palm Beach County are coming together to pack 30,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies. This page highlights the people, partners, and moments behind the mission—showcasing the heart of our community in action. From corporate teams to community champions, each group featured here is helping ensure that every student starts the school year confident, prepared, and ready to learn.

On the Road to 30,000!

80.76%

June 24 – July 2: The Kickoff

It All Began Here…Our backpack journey officially launched on June 24, and thanks to two incredible volunteer groups, we packed over 860 backpacks for students at Pine Grove Elementary and Gove Elementary!

Shout-Outs:

Huge thanks to the Ventus Charitable Foundation for not only sponsoring but also showing up to pack with purpose. Your early energy helped kick off our campaign with heart and momentum!
A massive thank-you to Sounders Care for their continued commitment to Palm Beach County students. You helped us pack 460 backpacks in one session—talk about starting strong!

July 7 – July 10: Momentum Builds

The second wave of our Backpack Build brought incredible energy and generosity from companies and community partners who helped pack over 3,700 backpacks in just a few days!

Shout-Outs:

Amazon and B.E. Blank & Co. kicked off the week with power and purpose, helping nearly 1,000 students gear up for back-to-school success.
The Education Foundation Young Professionals crew continues to lead by example—packing with passion and purpose to support students in underserved schools.
As a first-year supporter, Guardian Fleet Services jumped in with fierce compassion—packing hundreds of backpacks for Rosenwald Elementary while proudly sponsoring Cholee Lake. Their care and commitment reached far and wide.
Gunster rolled up in style on Molly’s Trolleys and packed over 1,600 backpacks with powerhouse efficiency—setting the bar sky-high for volunteer energy!

July 14 – July 19: Full Speed Ahead

Mid-July brought incredible momentum to our Backpack Build campaign!

The Weitz Company packed double the impact—supporting both Roosevelt and Washington Elementary with heart, hustle, and efficiency.
Wharton-Smith rolled up their sleeves early in the week to pack 550 backpacks for West Riviera Elementary, ensuring a strong start for their students.
Office Depot brought their signature energy to prepare over 1,400 students at Cholee Lake and Liberty Park Elementary for back-to-school success.
A heartfelt thank-you to the Kohl Jewish Volunteer Center for helping to pack nearly 1,000 backpacks for Highland Elementary!
Carrier packed off-site for Indian Pines and Lake Park Elementary, supporting 899 students with backpacks – packed with precision and care.
CORE Construction showed up strong again, packing 997 backpacks for students at Benoist Farms and Galaxy E3 Elementary.
Polen Capital continued their incredible tradition of giving back, supporting Crosspointe Elementary with 650 backpacks.
Pratt & Whitney packed off-site for Grove Park Elementary, assembling 700 backpacks with focus and teamwork.
Comcast closed out the week by powering up our build for Pine Jog and Poinciana STEM Magnet Elementary!

July 21 – July 25: Building momentum, one backpack at a time

As we moved into the final stretch of July, momentum didn’t slow down—10 amazing partners packed over 7,200 backpacks in just five days! From construction companies to financial firms, each group helped ensure thousands of students are ready to start school equipped and confident.

Shout-Outs:

B&I Contractors packed for Egret Lake Community Elementary, delivering 550 backpacks to students with precision and pride.
UES stepped up for Hope Centennial Elementary, filling 850 backpacks during an energizing afternoon shift.
Proctor Construction brought a full force team to pack 1,118 backpacks for Barton Elementary—one of our largest single-day builds yet!
Jezerinac Group lent their time and teamwork to support Forest Park Elementary with 625 backpacks.
Citizens Bank made a generous impact, packing 500 backpacks for Palmetto Elementary.
Jones Foster’s dedicated team came together at their West Palm Beach office to pack 100 backpacks filled with essential supplies, helping local students start the school year equipped for success and opportunity.
C3 Complete brought care and coordination to South Grade Elementary, ensuring 630 students are ready for day one.
Verdex Construction was a powerhouse—packing for Northboro and Starlight Cove Elementary, delivering a combined 1,490 backpacks!
Gold Coast Federal Credit Union supported Northmore Elementary with 740 backpacks, packed with attention to detail and heart.
PBSO played a vital role by sorting and organizing the backpack assembly line, then packing backpacks with care—helping ensure a smooth, efficient process and a successful delivery to local students.
NAI/Merin Hunter Codman, Inc. wrapped up the week by packing 700 backpacks for Seminole Trails Elementary, rounding out another impactful run.

July 28 – July 31: The Final Stretch

As July came to a close, our community showed up strong to bring the Backpack Build across the finish line. In just four days, dedicated partners packed over 7,200 backpacks for students in need—proving that the momentum never slowed and the mission remained strong to the very end.

Shout-Outs:

Goldman Sachs brought purpose and precision to support Lantana Elementary, packing 530 backpacks with care.
Woodfield Country Club made a big impact for West Gate Elementary, helping pack 807 backpacks to ensure every student starts school prepared.
Alvarez & Marsal brought incredible teamwork and heart to their backpack build, packing 680 backpacks for students at Melaleuca Elementary, giving them the confidence to start the year strong.
Admirals Cove teamed up for Berkshire Elementary, delivering a powerful finish with 1,100 backpacks packed!
Niagara Bottling joined forces for both Glade View and K.E.C. / Canal Point Elementary, packing over 630 backpacks in a single afternoon.
Bentek and The Gehring Group packed with heart and hustle for Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary, ensuring hundreds of students start the year prepared and confident.
United Franchise Group continued their amazing support by packing 700 backpacks for Grassy Waters Elementary.
NCCI supported two schools off-site—Orchard View Community Elementary and Village Academy—packing 1,381 backpacks with remote volunteer power.
Seacoast Bank went above and beyond, supporting U.B Kinsey Elementary, Pahokee Elementary, and Westward Elementary totaling over 1,400 backpacks, helping close out the campaign with strength and generosity.

Team Spotlights: Why We Volunteer

"Sounders Care is a club formed with the purpose of ‘Paying it Forward, Together.’ We deeply value teachers and students, who hold the future of our community in their hands. Volunteering for Red Apple Supplies gives us purpose and brings us together for a great cause. It’s a win-win for all!"

"At Gunster, we are passionate about supporting education and empowering the next generation. Our team was inspired to participate in the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County’s backpack build initiative because we believe every student deserves the opportunity to start the school year with confidence and the right tools. Volunteering together to pack over 1,600 backpacks for local elementary schools was not only a rewarding way to give back, but also a meaningful team-building experience. Working side by side, we felt a strong sense of unity and purpose, knowing our efforts would help students feel prepared and valued, and support teachers in creating positive learning environments. We are proud to contribute to an initiative that impacts so many schools and families across Palm Beach County. For us, community service is more than a responsibility—it’s a privilege and a core part of who we are."

"We absolutely love working with the Education Foundation at Red Apple Supplies for their annual Backpack Build Initiative. Their deep commitment to uplifting students and families in our community is truly inspiring. This initiative is something our volunteers look forward to each year—it ensures children start the school year with the essential tools they need to thrive, while also giving our volunteers a meaningful, hands-on opportunity to make a real difference. Everyone cares about setting children up for success in school, and partnering on this effort unites our organization around a shared purpose. The experience of giving back in such a tangible, impactful way is both fulfilling and motivating for everyone involved."

“Carrier is committed to advancing the communities in which we live, work and operate,” said Michael Pych, Vice President & General Counsel, Carrier Americas, and Education Foundation of Palm Beach County board member. “It means so much to have the opportunity to positively impact children from local Title I schools, right in Carrier’s own backyard.”

"Participating in the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County’s inspiring Back-to-School initiative was a meaningful way for us to give back and show our appreciation for the incredible efforts of teachers and students. Volunteering as a team not only brought us closer together but also gave us the opportunity to support a cause we truly value, education and the empowerment of future generations. At UES, we believe in investing in people and creating opportunities for all, and this experience reinforced the importance of community involvement and support for public education."

"Partnering with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County has been incredibly meaningful for our team at C3 Complete. From collecting school supplies in our office to providing technology support and volunteering to build backpacks, each effort reminded us that even small actions can spark lasting impact. We’re proud to play a part in helping local students start the school year strong and honored to support an organization that does so much good for our community."

“At Citizens, we believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting local students and teachers. Volunteering with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County to build 500 backpacks was a meaningful way for our team to give back and help ensure every child starts the school year ready to succeed.”

"On behalf of everyone at Jezerinac Group, we’re proud to support the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County. As a longtime supporter, we are thrilled to participate in the Backpack Build once again. Helping make sure students and teachers have the school supplies they need isn’t just meaningful, it felt like we were making a real impact on the future of our community. Even better, we got to do it together. From packing backpacks to sorting supplies, we shared a lot of laughs, worked side by side, and walked away feeling more connected, not just to each other, but to something bigger. It’s days like this that remind us why community matters. Giving back isn’t just about the supplies, it’s about hope and opportunity for our future leaders."

"As a team we get the opportunity to work together in a setting that is different from our regular project, and it benefits a great foundation who does so much for the local community. As an individual who has participated in this event previously; it is amazing to see the growth and humbling to see the impact that a group of individuals can make when they come together. I look forward to it every year."

"Jones Foster has been committed to serving South Florida for more than 100 years, not only as a law firm, but as people who care about building a vibrant community and a better quality of life for everyone. Participating in the Education Foundation’s Backpack Build allowed us to come together as a team for a meaningful purpose: to empower young students with the tools they need to succeed and help close equity gaps that can stifle learning. We’re proud to support their journey toward becoming the next generation of leaders. We wish all Palm Beach County students a successful school year!"

"NAI Merin Hunter Codman has played a central role in the growth and development of Palm Beach County over the past 35 years. This is our home and there is nothing that we do that is more important or gives us greater satisfaction than the small role we play in supporting Palm Beach County’s public school students. We have been with Red Apple Supply from its beginning in a small 3,000 sf tin building. We are amazed and humbled by the growth of the organization and the impact it has had on our community!"

"Awesome job team A&M. It was such an inspirational time to come together for some team building and giving back to the kids in need in our Palm Beach County Schools!!!! "

“For 88 years, Gold Coast Federal Credit Union has worked with the Palm Beach County School District in a variety of ways. While we enjoy all the events with the District and the Education Foundation, one of our favorites is the annual backpack drive. This initiative has such a direct and tangible impact on the lives of students, and Gold Coast FCU is proud to play a minor role in this huge undertaking.”

“Volunteering alongside the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County is always a meaningful experience for our team. The Backpack Build reminds us how powerful community partnerships can be—coming together to ensure every student starts the school year with the tools and confidence they need to succeed.”