HOUSTON, TEXAS – August 20, 2018 – Thirty-seven thousand deserving students will receive free school supplies to start the new year off right thanks to the efforts of Fox 26 Houston, Kroger, Powerade, Dasani, Eclipse, Orbit Gum, Coca Cola and Entercom (95.7 The Spot, Mix 96.5, Mega 101 FM, the Bull 100.3, CBS Sports Radio 640 AM and Sports 610 Radio). The organizations teamed up to execute the Backpack Boosters collection drive, which kicked off July 25 and ended August 7.

During the 14-day program, shoppers had the opportunity to visit any area Kroger store to donate a pre-packaged school supply kit for $7 or make a $1 donation at the check stand. The collection drive surpassed its initial goal of equipping 34,000 local children with the necessary tools for a successful school year.

“We are so thankful for shoppers’ generous support of the Backpack Boosters program. Because of that generosity, thousands of children around our city will return to school this year prepared and ready to learn,” said Sparkle Anderson, Kroger Corporate Affairs Manager.

Kroger delivered the donations in 18-wheeler trucks to the beneficiary districts - Fort Bend ISD, Houston ISD, KIPP Texas Public Schools - Houston and Galena Park ISD. Each district received approximately $64,920 worth of school supplies.

Daniel Caesar, Houston Regional Superintendent for KIPP Texas Public Schools, expressed his gratitude.

“We are deeply grateful and honored to have been selected for the Backpack Boosters program this year. Our students will reap tremendous benefits from the school supplies donated by Kroger and Community Partners. This act of kindness represents an investment in our future. These aren’t just school supplies, these are educational tools that will aid in learning and lead to bright futures in college and beyond for our KIPPsters,” said Caesar.