Panthers, Classroom Central team up to fill 20K backpacks for kids in need

CHARLOTTE — On Tuesday, volunteers from the Carolina Panthers and Classroom Central teamed up to pack 20,000 backpacks for students in need.

The group gathered at Bank of America stadium Tuesday afternoon to fill the backpacks with pencils, notebooks and other supplies.

More than 600 community volunteers participated.

“Every child should have the supplies they need to learn, and teachers should not have to spend their own personal funds to make that possible,” a Panthers spokesperson said in a news release.

The backpacks will be given to nearly 40 schools across both Carolinas. The supplies were valued at nearly $1.2 million and will be distributed to 35,000 students prior to the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

“As groceries, gas, and housing reach an all-time high, thousands of local families are stretched to their limits. School supply shopping is a luxury many simply can’t afford,” said Karen Calder, Executive Director, Classroom Central. “We are so grateful to our community for making this possible for our students.”

(WATCH BELOW: Classroom Central grand reopening)

Classroom Central grand reopening

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