STUART — Thanks to the partnership-building efforts of the Education Foundation of Martin County and the generosity of Costco, approximately 750 students headed into the 2026-27 school year with a new backpack in hand.
The week before school started, Stuart Costco Administrative Manager Mike Fabis and Membership Manager Ray Perry arrived at Pinewood Elementary School with pickup trucks loaded with hundreds of backpacks.
“We received backpacks last year, but this year we had almost 400 coming in, which is incredible,” said Pinewood Elementary Principal Amy Porter.
Fabis and Perry unloaded another truckload of backpacks at Murray Middle School.
“Anytime we have an opportunity to help our families, making sure that they have access to new resources for back to school to relieve that financial burden is always so appreciated,” said Murray Middle School Principal Tiffany Roth.
In addition to the backpacks, Costco donated a $500 gift card to each school to help meet additional student needs. School leaders say the donation is an example of the Education Foundation of Martin County’s unique role in connecting community partners with schools to provide meaningful support for students and families.
“The Education Foundation of Martin County is really the powerhouse of our school district and our schools,” Roth said. “They really act as a liaison, helping to connect us with all of our community partners.”
Porter echoed that sentiment. “We want to thank Costco and the Education Foundation, who does so much for our students,” she said.
The Foundation coordinated the partnership between Costco and both schools, helping transform a corporate donation into direct assistance for local families. By fostering relationships with businesses and community organizations, the Education Foundation continues to expand opportunities that benefit students throughout Martin County.
For the Education Foundation of Martin County, the backpack giveaway reflects its broader mission: bringing together community partners and schools to remove barriers to learning and create opportunities for every student to succeed.
For information about the Education Foundation of Martin County, visit the website at www.EducationFoundationMC.org or call 772-600-8062.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Education Foundation connects community partners to deliver 750 backpacks
Reporting by Dave Bohman, Education Foundation of Martin County / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dave Bohman, Education Foundation of Martin County | USA TODAY Network
