Asheville Community Donates 1,848 Fully Stocked Backpacks to Support Students

Asheville Community Donates 1,848 Stocked Backpacks to Support Local Students in School Supply Drive

While we're all nervous about the coming school year and the many support systems needed for our families, we're proud to share that our community came together to donate over $50,000, translating to 1,848 fully stocked backpacks through our annual School Supply Drive! 

Without the ability to gather together and encourage our community to 'Fill the Bus' or meet you in person as you arrived at United Way with car loads of backpacks to share with students, we managed to rally our collective support together safely online this year. We can't think of a better way to show our students and families what we can accomplish when we Live United.

Something So Small with Such a Huge Impact

"It feels like something so small that we can easily take for granted, yet it has such a huge impact," shares Nichole Davis, Beverly Hanks Realtor, who helped lead a team drive raising 120 backpacks to support this year's School Supply Drive. "We're going into the school year and all of it is filled with big overwhelming unknowns. So for parents that are already struggling, working essential jobs, worrying about being sick, homeschooling...we're just imagining what they're feeling. Anything that we can do to come together and support them in this challenging time is so helpful."

It's Going to Take Everyone in the Community Working Together

This year's drive would not be possible without the support of our presenting sponsor Bank of America, whose team has been active as volunteers and community partners in this work for several years. "I have hope," shares Bank of America Asheville Market Manager David Dowd. "Without a doubt, I have hope. And our partners agree that we can only get through this time with support from each other. It is going to take everyone in the community working together. Through hope and togetherness we will continue to help each other make progress."