RPS News Details
RPS Partners with CoStar Group, Walmart, Estes Express Lines, Target, Dominion Energy and VCU for Seventh Annual Ultimate Backpack Supply Drive
Richmond, Va. – Today, Superintendent Jason Kamras, Mayor Levar Stoney, elected officials, community partners, and volunteers gathered at the Greater Richmond Convention Center for the Seventh Annual Ultimate Backpack Supply Drive. The drive, presented by CoStar Group and hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), provides essential school supplies to students in Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and other local school divisions.
“CoStar Group's involvement in the Ultimate Backpack Supply Drive underscores our commitment to supporting the educational journey of students in Richmond,” said CoStar Vice President of Research, Brad McGetrick. “By providing essential school supplies, we aim to empower students and set them up for a successful academic year.”
In the past six years, the Ultimate Backpack Supply Drive has distributed more than 112,000 backpacks, thanks to the generous support of so many civic and business partnerships. This year's partners include CoStar Group, Estes Express Lines, Packaging Corporate America, VCU Alumni, Dominion Energy, Target, and many others.
“Preparing students to return back to school can create a huge financial burden for families, and so to be able to partner with the businesses and organizations here today, and relieve some of that stress for our families, is incredible,” said Richmond Superintendent Jason Kamras. “We are immensely grateful to our community partners and volunteers for their continued support.”
Once all of the supplies have been packed by volunteers, they will then be loaded onto trucks and delivered to schools for distribution to students and families. “Estes is proud to be a partner of this important back-to-school event,” said Will Hupp, Director of Hub Operations at Estes Express Lines. “We’re doing what we do best by delivering the school supplies to area schools to make sure everyone has what they need to start the new school year off strong.”
Richmond's mayor was one such volunteer today. “For the past several years, the Ultimate Backpack Supply Drive has been a highlight of the back-to-school season, providing thousands of families peace of mind that their children will have the supplies they need for the school year,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “This initiative would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers, our partners, and the community. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of our young learners. I look forward to seeing this event continue for years to come.”
“The Ultimate Backpack Supply Drive started as a dream seven years ago — that no child in Richmond Public Schools should worry about having the supplies they need to be successful in school,” said Seventh District School Board Representative Cheryl Burke, the former principal of Chimborazo Elementary School in Richmond. “We are so grateful for CoStar Group, VCU, and the broader Richmond community for coming together, year after year, to make this dream a reality. Because of these partnerships, each child in the Richmond Metro area will start out on even footing.”
RPS is excited to welcome back students and staff to their classrooms on Monday, August 19. Thanks to these amazing community partners, RPS students will be prepared to learn.