On July 26, 2025, at the YMCA near 1st & Main, Kenzi’s Causes hosted a whirlwind Packz4Kidz event in Colorado Springs—serving 124 families and 400 children in just 40 minutes. In that brief span, volunteers delivered backpacks packed with essential school supplies to students across preschool through 12th grade—and left a lasting imprint of dignity and support.
Colorado Springs is known for its scenic beauty and vibrant community. Yet, not all families are shielded from hardship. From recent census data, approximately 6.6% of residents in the city live below the federal poverty line—a rate slightly below the Colorado average—but 10.8% of children under 18 still face poverty censusreporter.orgen.
That’s what drives Packz4Kidz. These backpacks are more than lunchboxes and binders; they’re a platform for success. Studies show that students equipped with fresh notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, and rulers—items sometimes purchased by teachers themselves—are more confident, more engaged in class, and more likely to stay consistent with school and homework. The difference may be small, but the impact is transformative.
At the YMCA Pop-Up event, families arrived in lines that grew quickly, each child greeted with warm welcomes and a sturdy backpack personalized with care. In under an hour, 400 kids had supplies that would help them start the school year with readiness and hope.
This event wouldn’t have been possible without dedicated community partnerships. Our Presenting Sponsor, Air Academy Credit Union, along with Basis Partners, Academy Kids Dental, Vision and Ortho, Safelite, and the YMCA, came together to make this event both impactful and efficient. We are especially grateful to Air Academy Credit Union, whose team joined us on-site to help welcome and serve families with enthusiasm and care.
At the heart of this effort was Madison, who led the event with compassion, precision, and a deep commitment to the Colorado Springs community. Her leadership ensured that everything—from check-in to distribution—ran smoothly, allowing us to serve 400 children in just 40 minutes. It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community members and organizations come together with a shared purpose.
This Colorado Springs event echoes earlier programs we held in Grand Junction and Pueblo, where Packz4Kidz reached hundreds of children across the state. Together, they form a growing movement: ensuring no child starts school unprepared, regardless of zip code.
If you’d like to bring Packz4Kidz to your community, get involved or donate, visit kenziscauses.org.
Because when kids are given the tools they need, they’re not just ready for school—they’re empowered to succeed.
