Summer is officially here! As the final school bells rang and students raced towards a well-deserved vacation, we found ourselves in a moment of reflection on everything this past year has held–the effort, the energy and the extraordinary support behind it all. It’s easy to look at a school year as simply a span of time, but in reality, it’s so much more than days on a calendar. It’s a collection of moments and memories that are carried with students and teachers alike as they look forward to the next chapter of their educational journey. 

This year, we watched as millions of students walked into classrooms filled with all the tools they need to learn, saw thousands of teachers unite with support from their communities that sustain them and encourage them to keep going, and connected with countless partners who continually rose to meet the need with generosity and grit. When we come together, we get to see magical moments: a teacher who finds just the right words, a student who feels seen, a classroom full of eager young minds hungry to learn.

These are the moments you’ve helped create. 

At Kids In Need Foundation, we believe that the impact of a school year doesn’t end in June. Because while the classroom may grow quiet for a few months, the need never pauses—and neither do we. Summertime is a bridge—a chance to keep showing up for students and teachers so they can begin again, equipped and empowered to tackle the next year with confidence and conviction. The months ahead are filled with opportunities; to reach more students, build a stronger community, and walk into the Back-To-School season more ready than ever.

In partnership with Toyota, Kids In Need Foundation is proud to celebrate our fourth annual Big Summer Giveback—a nationwide effort that proves when businesses combine heart with action, incredible things happen. This initiative has brought together hundreds of Toyota dealerships and thousands of supporters across the country, all united around a single goal: ensuring students in under-resourced schools start the year strong.

In 2024, that mission came to life in powerful ways—and incredible numbers. Over 600 Toyota dealerships across the country joined forces with KINF’s strategic focus to support students in schools where it creates the most impact, right in their own backyards. Through backpack distributions, local fundraising efforts, and deeply rooted community engagement efforts–Toyota’s Big Summer Giveback provided over 63,000 students with fully stocked backpacks; giving them all the essential supplies that help fuel confidence, creativity and a sense of readiness that comes with something as simple as a backpack. It’s a campaign rooted in equity and access–and it’s growing every year. 

Since launching in 2022, Toyota and its dealership network has contributed over $5.6 million and put supplies directly into the hands of over 200,000 students through our Supply A Student program. But the numbers are only part of the story of why Toyota and Kids In Need Foundation began our partnership—because at its core, this work is about people. 

For one dealer in particular, the opportunity to play an integral part in a child’s educational journey meant everything. Eli Rivera is the General Manager of Toyota of San Bernardino. Last year, as a Platinum dealer, Eli and his team had an opportunity to be a part of an in class distribution event with Parkside Elementary School–a school right in their backyard. Eli and his team spent the day visiting several classrooms sharing words of encouragement, answering student questions and passing out backpacks. One classroom interaction stuck with Eli well past the event.

As he and the team were talking with the students, one little girl jumped out of her seat and ran up to Eli. He leaned over to talk with her and she instantly wrapped her arms around his waist—her appreciation felt through this bear hug.

This small act of gratitude brought Eli to tears. When we asked Eli about the interaction, he shared that when he was young, he had very little. He had to work hard, persevere and take advantage of every opportunity that came his way. For Eli, being able to directly help other children in similar circumstances have the same opportunities he did—while simultaneously having the chance to share how embracing unexpected chances can impact their lives—was a humbling experience.

Being on the receiving end of an indisputable act of appreciation from a fourth grader, is something that Eli won’t forget any time soon.

This is what meaningful partnership looks like. It’s a company using its platform to serve. It’s a dealership transforming into a hub of local care. It’s a student opening a backpack and realizing they have everything they need to begin the year on the right foot. Through this campaign, backpacks become more than just a pouch filled with supplies—they become an important statement: ‘You are supported. You are prepared. You are a part of a community that believes in your future.’

The Giveback continues–this summer, let’s go places and make an impact together.

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Take the Next Step!

When we think about what’s possible in the months ahead, we know it starts with action. What Toyota has done through the Big Summer Giveback is remarkable—and it’s also replicable. But you don’t need to be a major corporation with hundreds of locations to make a meaningful impact. Whether you’re part of a local business, a volunteer group or are simply someone who cares deeply about education, you can take the same spirit of generosity exhibited in Toyota’s Big Summer Giveback and put it into motion. 

We invite you to lean in, learn more and join us. If you’re interested in hosting a backpack build, sponsoring a school, or simply learning more about how you can get involved, we’re here to help you take the next step. Your support helps meet real needs—in real time—for the students and teachers who count on us most.

And we’re especially excited to welcome you to something new: this August, Kids In Need Foundation will officially open the doors to our new flagship Teacher Resource Center located in Little Canada, Minnesota—a space built to do more, serve more, and support teachers in deeper, more lasting ways. This is the future of our mission—and we want you to be a part of it.

Your involvement matters—this summer, and every season after.

Written By: Emily Pineda