Stories
More Than Supplies: How One School Community Is Fueled by Partnership
February 12, 2026
Stories
February 12, 2026
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 Horace Mann Elementary community, access to supplies makes a real, tangible difference. “This has made such a big difference for our students and community. […] Without this program our families would not be able to afford school supplies for their children” Mari Begijanmasihi from Horace Mann Elementary School shared. For these students, access to backpacks and pencil pouches filled with supplies means showing up to school prepared and confident.
“This has made such a big difference for our students and community. […] Without this program our families would not be able to afford school supplies for their children” Mari Begijanmasihi from Horace Mann Elementary School shared.
The moment supplies arrive is one students look forward to, as Toyota of Glendale comes back year after year to support their community. “The day that the backpacks are delivered is such a joyous and fun occasion! The kids get so excited when they are presented with new backpacks.” As they open them, students eagerly explore what’s inside. “The school supplies and backpacks are such high quality, and the kids love checking out what is inside the backpack.” Mari says.
For teachers, some items stand out most—seeing that excitement carried into the classroom. “The teachers’ favorite supply is the backpacks and the pencil cases.” And for students—many of whom are English Language Learners—creative supplies matter too: “Art [and] coloring is something that they can all access.” Beyond the supplies themselves, the experience matters. “We love having the event at our school. The kids are so excited to have visitors. The messages are always so uplifting and inspiring.” And the message sums it up best; “We are so grateful for this partnership!”
Stories like Mari’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.
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:
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.
Kids In Need Foundation helps create equitable learning spaces through the distribution of supplies and resources, investing in teachers and students in underserved schools. With the belief that every child in America should have equal opportunity and resources to engage in a quality education, Kids In Need Foundation focuses its programs and initiatives on teachers and students most under-resourced, those where 70 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program. In 2023, through its programs, National Network of Resource Centers, and coast-to-coast local partners, Kids In Need Foundation and our national network supported over 4 million students and 200,00 teachers in 13,000 under-resourced schools, with KINF distributing more than $42 million in free school supplies and classroom resources nationwide at no cost to schools or teachers. For more information, visit kinf.org, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter: @KidsInNeed.