The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM), FedEx and community partners will distribute backpacks filled with school supplies and other essentials to students at Booker T. Washington (BTW), LaRose Elementary and Cummings K-8 Optional Schools.

More than 100 volunteers will assemble 1,100 backpacks and distribute backpacks to BTW and LaRose Elementary before finishing the day at Cummings K-8 Optional School located at 1037 Cummings St. Students gather for a Student Assembly at 2 p.m. with brief remarks from the following special guests: WFGM’s President and CEO, Ruby Bright; Shelby County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Joris Ray; Shelby County Board Chair, Michelle McKissack; Shelby County Schools Board Member, Shante K. Avant; Shelby County Commissioner, Mickell Lowrey; and TN State Representative, Raumesh Akbari.

“Providing these supplies is an opportunity to give vulnerable children the tools they need to be successful. With the generous support of our partners and community businesses, we can make a direct impact on the future leaders of these communities,” said Ruby Bright, WFGM President and CEO. “This Project is just one example of the Two-Generation Approach to reducing poverty by focusing on creating opportunities for and addressing needs of both children and adults in the same household. We believe in the potential for youth development programs and partnerships to support children and parents together.”

According to the University of Memphis 2020 Poverty Fact Sheet, 84.4% of children in 38126, and 64.9% of children in 38106 live in poverty as of 2020.

This year’s project will also focus on health and highlight health services in the community. Each backpack will include school supplies and a resource guide with important information, as well as personal protective equipment.

“FedEx is proud to support the School Supply Drive for the sixth year. We are grateful to our corporate volunteers who helped distribute over 1,100 backpacks today. Our organizations’ commitment to helping students thrive in the classroom will greatly benefit the Memphis community,” said Monica Skipper, Vice President of Marketing at FedEx.

The project aligns with the five goals of WFGM’s Vision 2025 Strategic Plan to increase investment and reduce poverty in five Memphis neighborhoods by 2025. WFGM’s previous Vision 2020 Strategic Plan was to reduce poverty by five percent in zip code 38126, the poorest area in the city of Memphis. Over five years, WFGM invested $7.1 million in programs providing residents in 38126 with case management, employment training, early childhood education, youth development, and financial literacy.

FedEx is the Presenting Sponsor for the 6th Annual School Supply Drive. Supporting Sponsors include AutoZone, Baptist Memorial Health Care, Comcast, State Representative Raumesh Akbari, County Commissioner Mickell Lowery, Memphis Housing Authority, School Seed, Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Urban Strategies, Inc.

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S FOUNDATION FOR A GREATER MEMPHIS

For 26 years, The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) has played a major role as a backbone organization aligning people, resources, and coordinating community-based services through the two-generation approach to reduce poverty. The mission of WFGM is to help women break the cycle of poverty through philanthropy, leadership and collaboration.

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