2026 SMDRA REALTORS Care Foundation Fill-A-Backpack School Supply Drive

LOCATION: IN-PERSON AT SMDRA
DATE: July 21, 2026
TIME: 11:00am to 1:00pm
TOPIC: SMDRA REALTORS Care Foundation School Supply Drive
HOSTED BY: The SMDRA REALTORS® Care Foundation
LOCATION: Final Donation Day – July Power Lunch on July 21, 2026
CLICK HERE to download Drive Flyer and Supply List

How the Program Works?
A Precious Child collects new backpacks and school supplies for children in the most need in the community. Backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies are distributed to children through our Resource Center as well as our agency partners which include schools, human services organizations, at-risk youth centers, homeless shelters and foster care organizations.

We collect new backpacks, school supplies and monetary donations through drives hosted by individuals, organizations and businesses as well as through the Fill A Backpack Corporate and Community Challenges.

The Fill A Backpack program ensures underprivileged children get to start the first day of school feeling confident and prepared to succeed academically.

Did you know that more than 250,000 children live below the Colorado Self-Sufficiency Standard in A Precious Child’s eight-county service area? Children in these families often lack the necessary supplies critical for academic achievement. Ensuring that children have the tools to participate in school can reduce truancy, promote learning and build positive self-esteem.

Why We Do What We Do
Children living in poverty face many challenges and tremendous stigmatization. Showing up on the first day of school without the proper tools can make a child look and feel different from their classmates which can be both embarrassing and stressful.

Each year, the school supply lists grows and families in need struggle to find a way to ensure their children have the necessary supplies required by the school.

In 2019, 40.7% of all Colorado students, 379,563 children, qualified for the Free and Reduced Lunch program (Colorado Children’s Campaign). With the average parent spending $117 on standard classroom supplies each year (National Retail Federation), it is no surprise that many struggling families simply cannot afford the expense of school supplies for their children.

By providing children in need with brand new backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies, A Precious Child ensures that children in need can show up to school ready to start the new school year on the same level as their peers and excited to learn.

This Drive Supports A Precious Child
A Precious Child, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008, provides essential resources and opportunities to children and families in need across eight Denver Metro counties, helping every child reach their full potential through cradle to career programming. Each year, we serve 50,000 children and 17,000 caregivers with cost-free essentials like clothing, hygiene items, food and diapers – provided with dignity. Our programs also offer access to sports, arts, education and resources like backpacks and holiday gifts. Through our workforce readiness program, we help build skills for long-term success. With the support of 8,000 volunteers and our network of 300 Agency Partners, we are building a thriving society for all. Learn more at APreciousChild.org.

QUESTIONS: If you have questions about the 2026 Fill-A-Backpack School Supply Drive:
Contact Susan Cooper at susan@smdra.com or 303-895-3370