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Backpack to the Future
Type	Initiative
Sponsor Organization	United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
Top Organization	N/A
Creation Legislation	N/A
Website	Website
Purpose
Program Start
Initial Funding
Duration
Historic	No

Overview

Backpack to the Future (BTTF) is an initiative by the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County designed to distribute school supplies and backpacks to students, particularly those in underserved communities. The purpose is to reduce the financial burden on families and promote educational equity by ensuring all students start the school year with the necessary materials. This initiative not only supports academic achievement but also boosts community engagement and volunteerism.

Official Site

Goals

To ensure every student has access to new school supplies and a backpack at the beginning of each school year.
To engage the community in a collective effort to support education, aiming for 100% participation from local businesses and organizations.
To reduce the educational achievement gap by providing essential resources, with a goal to increase academic performance metrics in participating schools by 10% each year.

Organization

Backpack to the Future is managed by the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. The initiative is run by a dedicated team within the organization, with a governance structure that includes a project coordinator, volunteer coordinators, and community outreach specialists. Funding comes from donations, corporate sponsorships, and local grants. The initiative leverages partnerships with schools, local businesses, and other non-profits to maximize impact.

Impact and Outcomes

- **Achievements**: The initiative has successfully distributed thousands of backpacks, with significant improvements noted in student attendance and participation rates in schools receiving supplies. - **Challenges**: Logistical issues like supply chain disruptions have occasionally impacted the quantity and quality of supplies available. - **Unintended Consequences**: An increase in community involvement has led to a broader awareness of educational needs, prompting discussions on long-term educational support systems.

Background and History

Backpack to the Future was established in response to the growing recognition of educational disparities due to lack of basic school supplies. It was launched in 2011 by United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County to address this issue directly. The initiative has since grown, adapting annually based on community feedback and needs assessments. There are no specific plans for expansion, but sustainability is a focus through continuous community engagement and support.

Funding

The initiative is funded annually through: - Community donations - Corporate sponsorships - Local grants

Funding amounts vary each year, typically ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 depending on the scale of distribution planned. There is no set end date for funding as it's an ongoing initiative supported by community goodwill.

Implementation

The program operates through several phases: - **Collection**: Gathering supplies through community drives and partnerships. - **Assembly**: Volunteers pack backpacks with tailored supplies based on grade-specific needs. - **Distribution**: Backpacks are distributed at community events or directly through schools before the school year starts. There is no defined end date; it continues annually as long as there is community need and support.

Leadership

The leader of the program holds the title of **Project Coordinator**.

External Links

Wikipedia

There is no specific Wikipedia article for this initiative; however, related information might be found under:

wikipedia:United Way

Social media

References