Educators Credit Union’s generous donation allows the MPS Foundation to double last year’s total
MILWAUKEE (October 4, 2021) — The sixth annual No Empty Backpacks School Supplies Drive raised a record-breaking $57,821.75, more than doubling their previous high of $25,000. Considering the growing needs of Milwaukee families during the pandemic, the MPS Foundation and their partners set out to raise double anything they’ve raised before. Due to the generosity of the Milwaukee community, including a $30,000 donation from Educators Credit Union, they exceeded that goal.
“We are always looking for ways to support education in our community. We believe it is vital to the success of Wisconsin,” said Shannon Huot, Chief Experience Officer, Educators Credit Union. “When we learned of the growing need this year, we were honored to step in and help.”
The money raised will give students a backpack full of supplies including notebooks, calculators, pencils, highlighters and more. Donations have already begun to be distributed to MPS schools and will continue over the next couple of weeks.
“This effort is about dignity for our students,” said Wendell Willis, Executive Director, MPS Foundation. “No student in our community should have to be uncertain of having essential school supplies. This also helps alleviate the financial burden many teachers take on for their classrooms. I’m encouraged and grateful that the Milwaukee community stepped forward to answer this need.”
No Empty Backpacks is a full-circle community effort led by MPS Foundation, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Business Journal. Best Ed, a local supply company, allows for donations to be purchased digitally. In addition, backpacks are being packed by individuals from Milwaukee’s blindness community at Beyond Vision.
Below you will find a list of schools that will benefit from this year’s drive:
Hayes Bilingual School
Longfellow Elementary
Riley Dual Language Montessori
Fifty-third Street School
Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language
Townsend Street School
Hampton Elementary School
River Trail Elementary
Goodrich Elementary
Maple Tree Elementary
Bruce Elementary
Humboldt Park School
Gaenslen Elementary
Hartford University School
Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning
Holmes Elementary
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About the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation
The MPS Foundation collaborates with corporations, foundations, and individuals to provide philanthropic support for students, schools, and district programs in an effort to expand and enhance academic achievement for all MPS students.
Our core areas of focus include:
Workforce Development and Career Readiness, including college scholarships, career exploration, Learning Journeys (field trips tied to curriculum), and College and Career Centers
Green playgrounds and outdoor learning environments
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