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.

Last year at Carmel Community School, a backpack distribution quickly became a moment of excitement and connection. Through the Big Summer Giveback initiative, 250 backpacks were made available to the families—and in a single day nearly all were claimed. Students from every grade level eagerly selected the one that felt just right to them and discovered there was more inside than they expected. 

“Students thought they were just getting a backpack, and then when they felt it was heavy with supplies, their eyes lit up!” Candice Oliver of Carmel Community school wrote.

“Students thought they were just getting a backpack, and then when they felt it was heavy with supplies, their eyes lit up!” Candice Oliver of Carmel Community school wrote. Along with essential school supplies, the backpacks were carrying items students love to use—paper, crayons, and colored pencils—supplies that encourage creativity and joy. “Those items can often be those ‘wants’ rather than ‘needs’ in our households,” Candice shares, making their inclusion especially meaningful for families. 

One small moment captured the impact this donation had perfectly: three sisters choosing the exact same backpack, proudly writing their names inside to claim as their own. These are the moments that show exactly how a backpack becomes more than just supplies—they become a source of pride and ownership, a spark for creativity, and a feeling of being fully prepared to learn. 

Stories like Candice’s 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.