Each summer, Kids In Need Foundation is proud to partner with Toyota through their Big Summer Giveback—an initiative that brings together Toyota dealerships across the country to support local students with the supplies they need to start the school year prepared and confident. Through in-class distribution events, dealership teams don’t just hand out backpacks—they step into classrooms, share encouragement, and become part of a student’s story. For one dealer in particular, the opportunity to play an integral role in a child’s educational journey meant everything.

As backpacks are prepared and fulfilled in the warehouse, their impact becomes apparent the moment they reach students. At Shirpser Elementary, the effect of a full backpack was felt immediately. When students come to school with a backpack filled with pencils, notebooks, and crayons, barriers to learning are removed; allowing students to participate fully and confidently in the classroom. Having the right tools helps students feel prepared, valued, and ready to focus on learning while taking pride in their work.

“Having new supplies—just like their peers—helps students feel equal, valued, and ready to learn.” said Veronica Ortiz, principal at Shirpser Elementary.

And their teachers see that confidence grow quickly. “Having new supplies—just like their peers—helps students feel equal, valued, and ready to learn.” said Veronica Ortiz, principal at Shirpser Elementary. School leaders even extended the experience by organizing a field trip for 4th and 5th graders to visit the Longo Toyota dealership, before dealers returned to Shirpser Elementary to pass out backpacks to all the students, giving students a school-driven opportunity to explore career pathways and see the impact of community partnership firsthand.

As Veronica shared simply, “Knowing they’re prepared gives them peace of mind and helps them focus on learning instead of worrying.” These moments are the result of careful warehouse fulfillment—turning packed backpacks into the launch of the school year and encouraging students to imagine what’s ahead.

Stories like this one remind us why partnerships like the Big Summer Give Back matter so deeply. When community leaders, corporate partners, and educators come together, the impact reaches far beyond a single day in the classroom. It creates moments of connection, inspiration, and hope that students carry with them long after the backpacks are unzipped. Thank you for being part of this journey—turning preparation today into opportunity, confidence, and readiness for students this summer and beyond.

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Every day, teachers show up for their students with passion, creativity, and dedication—but too many of them are doing it without the supplies they need to create the learning environments their students deserve. No teacher should have to choose between giving their students the best education possible and paying out of pocket for basic classroom materials.

Your company can help change that at scale.

Through a partnership with Kids In Need Foundation, your organization can:

• Activate employees in meaningful, high-impact volunteer experiences
• Deliver essential supplies to under-resourced classrooms nationwide
• Advance education equity in the communities where your employees live and work
• Drive measurable social impact aligned with your CSR and ESG goals

A single corporate commitment can fill thousands of backpacks, stock entire classrooms, and remind teachers they are not alone. When companies invest in educators, they strengthen communities, support future talent, and help ensure every child has the opportunity to learn with confidence.

Join us in creating equitable learning environments—one classroom, one community, and one employee activation at a time.