For the 2022 school year, the Black Equality Coalition was able to secure 100 backpacks in total, 50 of which were filled with school essentials ranging from pencils and paper to socks and jackets; as well as calculators, rulers, paper, highlighters and earbuds. The Black Equality Coalition also set up ‘Lori’s Closet’, which is full of donated clothing for anyone in need.

 

‘Lori’s Closet’ was able to serve over 100 shoppers with rain jackets, winter coats, undergarments, 20 pairs of gloves/beanies, 20 insulated lunch sacks/ water bottles, over 400 socks and provided take home snack items for students in need. We also had several corporate sponsors supporting our ‘Back to School Supply Drive’, including Blitz “Kicks 4 Kids”, Starbucks and Emerald City Smoothie. Blitz “Kicks 4 Kids” was able to provide 85 pairs of shoes for B.E.C to distribute to students in need. Starbucks provided several of their retail stores to be drop-off locations for donation items.

 

Emerald City Smoothie donated gift cards and water bottles to be handed out at the event. In total, the Black Equality Coalition was able to donate roughly $10,000 in goods to the families of students in need, made possible by the generosity of our volunteer base and donations from corporate, as well as private sponsors.