As families prepare for a new school year, our Atlanta team once again came together to help students start the year with confidence. This year, for our annual Backpack Bash, we returned to where it all started six years ago: Cobb County.
Volunteers gathered at Mableton Elementary School to distribute school supplies and backpacks to students. We also set new personal records for this event! We served 918 students, raised $60,000 in funding, and had 68 participating companies.
Back-to-school season is a busy time when summer vacations wrap up, schedules get busier, and kids across the nation prepare for the academic year ahead. For many families, however, the season is not without significant financial strain. This year is no exception. School supplies are expected to cost more this year, according to reports.
We’re excited to see this tradition grow each year, with more partner organizations, more volunteers, and greater impact.
Since its launch in 2021, Backpack Bash has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars and provided school supplies to more than 5,480 students at nine underserved schools in the Atlanta area. The program reflects our commitment to community impact and demonstrates how industry partnerships can create meaningful opportunities for local students and families.
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all who faced the heat and participated in our 6th Annual Perkins&Will Backpack Bash,” says Maria Montgomery, Senior Architect at Perkins&Will and founding leader of the Backpack Bash. “This year’s event marked our largest gathering to date, a success made possible by the unwavering dedication of our team members and esteemed partners. The happy faces of the students, families, and faculty of Mableton Elementary testify to the positive impact we’ve strived to deliver to our community.”
As a core component of our Social Purpose program, we consistently seek opportunities to give back to our communities, and we’re thrilled to have worked with the faculty, administration, and families of Mableton Elementary School. After all required school supplies were purchased according to grade level, we donated the remaining $10,000 to the school to fund lunches and field trips for students throughout the year.
The year’s event was made possible by generous contributions from individuals and organizations across our network of architecture, design, engineering, and construction partners. Many of these companies have partnered with us in the past, helping make 2026 a resounding success for our Backpack Bash team, led by Maria Montgomery, Erika Kane, and Steven Brown.
Thank you so much to our event donors!
Platinum Donors ($1,500 and up)
Gold Donors ($1,000)
