The Great Big Backpack Build returned bigger and better than ever to the Orange County Convention Center to kickoff A Gift for Teaching’s 2026 Ready for Back-to-School summer campaign.
The annual event continues to surpass previous years with an incredible new milestone: 30,000 backpacks hand-packed with essential school supplies in just over one hour. Driven by compassion and the power of teamwork, 37 corporate teams and more than 550 volunteers united around one shared goal: helping Central Florida students start the school year feeling confident, supported, and ready to learn.
This milestone was powered by an extraordinary network of community supporters who stepped up in countless ways, from underwriting school supplies to providing event and production support. More than $389,000 in donated goods and services helped bring The Great Big Backpack Build to life, including venue and behind-the-scenes logistics that made the day possible. Thanks to this collective generosity, every additional dollar raised throughout the summer can stretch even further to deliver critical resources directly into local classrooms long after the backpacks are distributed.
In the coming weeks, these backpacks will reach students at more than 120 Orange County public schools, as well as Osceola County public schools, serving areas and families facing the highest barriers to help their students feel equipped and ready to succeed.
(Coverage from FOX 35 Orlando)
(Coverage from WESH 2 News)
The room buzzed with energy and purpose as backpacks were filled with essential supplies, encouragement, and the belief that every child deserves a strong start from day one. Among those in attendance at The Great Big Backpack Build was Florida State House District 42 Representative Dr. Anna Eskamani, Orange County District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe, Orange County District 4 Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, Orange County District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott and City of Orlando District 1 Commissioner Tom Keen. Orange County Mayor Demings also made a visit with words of gratitude after seeing the sea of backpacks.
And while the impact is significant, the need across Central Florida remains present.
As the 8th largest school district in the nation, Orange County Public Schools serves a vast student population. The backpacks packed during The Great Big Backpack Build will reach a fraction of the students who need support. Across Central Florida, many schools continue to face funding uncertainties and high levels of economic hardship, leaving thousands of children at risk of starting the school year without essential learning tools.
That’s why the work continues.
A Gift for Teaching is launching the next chapter of its Ready for Back-to-School campaign: Supply Drive for Success. By coming together as a community, we can help more students begin the school year with the essentials and support they need to thrive from the very first day.
A special thanks to these hardworking teams for building backpacks for brighter futures:
Addition Financial
AdventHealth
Albu & Associates
American College of Education
Baywood Hotels
Charles Schwab
City of Orlando – District 1
DLR Studios
Duke Energy
Education Foundation of Osceola County
Enterprise Mobility
FAIRWINDS Credit Union
Freeman
Guys with Ties
Illumus
JCQ Services
KidSmart
Little
Nelson Financial Planning
Nemours Children’s Health
Net Conversion
OCPS teachers
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Orlando Magic
Publix Super Markets
Qorvo
Ricoh
Rollins College
Smart City Networks
Sodexo LIVE!
Suncoast Credit Union
The Good Pour
United Community
Universal Orlando
Vystar Credit Union
Wells Fargo
Westgate Foundation
