Help Equip 1,000 Students for the New School Year.
Plant a Seed. Grow a Community.

Every $25 sponsors one child by providing a backpack filled with essential school supplies.

This year, RUTS Foundation is raising funds to help provide 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for local students. Every $25 sponsors one child, helping them start the school year prepared.

Your Impact

$1,000 - Equips 40 students with backpacks and school supplies, easing back-to-school stress for 40 families and helping expand educational resources across our community.
$500 - Equips 20 students with backpacks and school supplies, helping strengthen our community one student at a time.
$250 - Equips 10 students with backpacks and school supplies, easing the financial burden on local families.
$100 - Equips 4 students with backpacks and school supplies, providing the tools they need for learning and growth.
$50 - Equips 2 students with backpacks and school supplies, helping families prepare for the new school year.
$25 - Equips 1 student with a backpack and school supplies for the first day of school.

Every child deserves to begin the school year with the supplies they need and the support of a community that believes in them.

But for many families across East Charlotte, back to school season can be overwhelming. After rent, groceries, and bills, school supplies become one more expense families are trying to figure out.

That is why our community comes together.

On Sunday, August 9, 2026, RUTS Foundation is bringing our Back to School Community Event back to East Charlotte in partnership with CMPD to help local families prepare for the new school year.

Last year, what started as a backpack giveaway turned into something bigger, neighbors helping neighbors, families connecting, and kids walking away excited for their first day of school.

This year, we are coming back even BIGGER.

Where We Took Root in 2025

Our first Back to School event exceeded every expectation and reminded us what can happen when a community shows up for each other.

Together, we served:

1,500+ families in a single day
750+ backpacks filled with school supplies
1,000+ children registered
750+ free meals served to kids
Free haircuts from 15+ volunteer barbers and stylists
100+ volunteers giving their time
A completely free event for every family

What We Are Growing in 2026

This year, we are growing the event to reach even more families across East Charlotte.
Our goal is to provide:

1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies
10,000+ school supplies
250 free haircuts for students
1,000 meals for kids during the event
Health and wellness resources for families
Interactive activities and bilingual community resources
Live music, a DJ, and cultural dance performances
200+ volunteers and community partners

More than anything, we want families to leave feeling supported, connected, and empowered for the year ahead.

Why Your Gift Matters

This event is free for every family who attends, and it stays free because of people like you. Every donation helps provide backpacks, school supplies, meals, and resources directly to local children and families. Every backpack distributed represents one less expense for a family and one more opportunity for a student to focus on learning.

Sponsor a Student Today

Your gift today provides a student with the tools they need and helps a family begin the school year with less financial stress. Donate now and help us reach our goal of serving 1,000 students and their families.

Together, we can make sure every child starts the school year prepared, confident, and ready to succeed.

Ways to Grow With Us

GIVE - Donate today using the button on this page. Every gift helps us reach another child.
SERVE - Volunteer with our team on event day and help bring this experience to life.
PARTNER - Sponsor the event through our Raíz, Brote, Árbol, or Bosque partnership levels.
SHARE - Send this page to your family, friends, coworkers, and community networks.

Together, we are planting seeds that will continue to grow long after the school year begins.

Get Involved
Email: Info@rutsfoundation.org
Phone: (704) 302-0439
Web: rutsfoundation.org
Instagram: @rutsfoundation

Back to School Community Event 2026