By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
For over 20 years, For The Kid In All Of Us has raised funds to support kids all over metro Atlanta. One of the signature fundraising events has been the backpack event, which raises funds for school supplies. This year, the event is being reinvented, but the end goal remains the same: to distribute as many backpacks filled with school supplies to as many kids as possible. We spoke to FTK board president, Brian Isbell-Garcia about what’s new about the event, fundraising goals, and how you can otherwise support the organization.
We are very excited about the backpack event coming up soon! It’s at a new venue, and it seems like the concept has been revamped a bit. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
We’re excited about all the changes we have planned to this year’s Backpack Party. There’s a new venue: Park Tavern. A new day: Sunday. A new experience: Brunch. All with the same great cause: providing backpacks filled with school supplies to thousands of Georgia’s underserved kids and families.
Can you share what attendees can expect at the “Backpacks, Bubbles & Brunch” event?
This is the 19th year of our Backpack Party, and we are taking what worked in the past and adding a few new twists. Everyone loves brunch and a Sunday Funday. So, we decided to lean into that this year with the hopes of reaching a new group of loyal supporters. Attendees are invited to grab a few friends, put on their best brunch outfits, grab a glass of champagne (customize it at the mimosa bar), peruse our silent auction items and bid on items using our app, join in the live bidding with our colorful auctioneer, and have a great time knowing they are helping us fill as many backpacks as possible for kids that need them. We are also finalizing a few other “back to school” entertainment options, along with some fun “bubbles” throughout the event.
In terms of school supplies: what is your goal this year?
We know that many families are struggling, and nearly 40 percent of parents say they can’t afford school supplies for their kids. The need this year is great. Our goal is to provide more than 5,000 backpacks to our beneficiary partners that serve Georgia’s underserved communities.
Even if you’re not at the event, it is still possible to support. Can you tell us how we can meet a need?
Of course! We take donations year-round on our website at forthekid.org/donate. You can attend one of our community events in the coming months or our big Toy Party on December 8, 2024. You can also offer your support by volunteering at our events, as well as sharing our social media posts and stories. And if you want, you can help raise money by launching your own Facebook Fundraising challenge.
This event is hosted by the FTK board of directors. Can you talk a little bit about this year’s board members?
Our Board is a group of dedicated professionals that does everything. There’s no staff, just board members who plan and promote the events, raise money and secure auction items, build relationships in the community, and have a great time while doing it. We welcomed five new board members at the beginning of this year, and are always looking for interested community members who want to make a positive impact to join us!
The Toy Party is a highly anticipated fundraiser during the Holiday season – are you able to share any details already?
Our Toy Party will be Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Biltmore Ballrooms in Midtown. We are just beginning to plan, but if you’ve been to any Toy Party you know we don’t disappoint. There’s a reason we’re known as Atlanta’s Favorite Holiday Fundraiser. Go ahead and save that date, and watch our social media for more details after the Backpack Party.
Back to “Backpacks, Bubbles & Brunch”: Tell us when and how we can participate.
It’s simple. You can R.S.V.P. on our Facebook event page. Or you can just show up to our event on August 4, with a backpack full of school supplies or $40 for the event, which is our cost to provide one backpack. You can get a list of supplies on our website at forthekid.org/backpack-party. Please share, invite, and bring your friends!
Anything else you’d like to add?
For the Kid in All of Us has been around since 2003. We couldn’t do what we do without the generous support of the LGBTQ+ community. So, we thank you and look forward to many more years together helping provide school supplies and toys to kids who wouldn’t receive them otherwise.
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Please join For The Kid In All Of Us for Backpacks, Bubbles & Brunch on Sunday, August 4th, 2024, 12 – 4 pm at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park.
Admission is a $40 donation at the door, or you can bring a backpack filled with school supplies.