Students across the country are officially back in school. This can mean additional financial strain for many families as parents purchase needed supplies like notebooks and more. To help ease the burden, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida relaunched last month its back-to-school Backpack Giveback program. 

The program provided more than 5,500 students with new backpacks filled with essential school supplies. In a state where the child poverty rate is nearly 18%, this effort was more than a donation. It was an effort that gave students everyday resources needed to succeed. Each backpack was filled stocked with pencils, notebooks, markers and other classroom supplies to ensure these students were properly equipped for the school year.  

“Something as simple as a new backpack with school supplies provides much-needed resources that allow students to focus on being successful, in the classroom and beyond,” said Coke Florida Group Vice President of Government Relations, Public Affairs and Communications Percy L. Wells II. 

Coke Florida’s Backpack Giveback was supported by nearly 40 community partners across the state that collaborated to distribute the backpacks.  Since 2018 more than 25,000 backpacks have been donated. This is just one part of Coke Florida’s broader educational mission, which also includes programs across the state aimed at supplementing youth development, providing access to educational resources and awarding college scholarships. 

Philanthropic programs like these remind us of how working together can make a real difference. Thanks to Coke Florida and its partners, thousands of students started the year ready for success that will extend far beyond the classroom.