Backpack Attack is Back at BKF

August 21, 2024

Last year, Bar Keepers Friend participated in a Backpack Attack campaign. If you’re unfamiliar with the event, it involves donating backpacks full of school supplies and other items to school children in need. 2024 was the second year BKF has stuffed the bags.

What Did You Put in the Backpacks?

I asked Bar Keepers Friend marketing team members Alex Davie and Megan Nadolski how they decided on what to put in the backpacks. Before they started, Alex and Megan asked one what they would want in their backpacks as kids. Soon enough, they filled several backpacks with crayons, pencils, scientific calculators, markers, rulers, binders, and more!

In terms of backpack designs, they made sure to choose what was popular for kids today: Bluey, Disney, Marvel, Mario, to name a few, and neutral colors for older kids.

Where Were the Backpacks Distributed?

Alex and Megan delivered the backpacks to a Community Resource Day sponsored by You Feed Them. Their mission is “To commit to responding to the needs of the community through food distribution, discipleship, prayer, education, and community resource sharing.”

Do Many Kids Need School Supplies?

According to Hoosier Data, 19% of children living in Marion County live below the federal poverty line. These children are part of families struggling to house and feed them. Unfortunately, for these kids, school supplies are often not a priority. When unsure where the next meal comes from, pencils typically take a back seat.

What Was the Best Part of it All?

Putting together the backpacks was definitely a team effort, and it’s something that both Alex and Megan cherished deeply. When asked about “the best part,” here’s what Alex had to say:  It was “dropping off the backpacks and knowing the donations were going to kids who needed them. “We tried to stuff the backpacks with things the kids would need the entire school year,” Alex said. “We had fun checking the bags. We’d look and think, this one needs crayons. We also donated our excess supplies, which feels good to do.”

A Call to Action 

We want to present a call to action to everyone who reads this. It’s simple and easy. You can donate supplies or make a donation to your local organizations. Google “donate school supplies,” and I guarantee you’ll find spots in your community who would love your help.

Wanna check out Alex & Megan’s shopping adventures?  Check out the video below! 

@barkeepersfriend

Come school supply shopping with us for a local charity event! #BarKeepersFriend #backtoschoolcheck #school

♬ Good Luck Babe – relatetomusic

About the Author 

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends (after COVID-19), he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two daughters; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook: A crash course in effective management.