A Top 40 supplier is continuing its tradition of giving back to students in need.

Florida- and Minnesota-based employees at Koozie Group (asi/40480) recently volunteered to fill 1,900 backpacks with back-to-school supplies, including markers, crayons, pencils and water bottles, that were then donated to United Way Suncoast in Florida; United Way Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties in Minnesota; and United Way Brown County in Minnesota. The regional chapters then distributed the backpacks to students heading back to school.

Employees at Koozie Group’s Clearwater, FL, facility volunteered to fill backpacks with school essentials.

“We recognize the challenges that many parents face with providing their children with back-to-school supplies, so we wanted to make a positive impact once again by donating backpacks filled with these items,” said Trisha Joyce, employee experience and communications manager. “Our employees are passionate about supporting education and were more than happy to step up and help fill the bags. This is an initiative that we hope to keep growing from year to year, as Koozie Group is proud to make a difference and proud of its ongoing support of United Way.”

This is the second year that Koozie Group has assembled backpacks for the United Way, as part of its Keep It. Give It. initiative. The company is also donating 5% of writing instrument sales through the end of the year to United Way chapters in Florida and Minnesota, and IMAGEN Brands (asi/93990), part of the Top 40 supplier, will continue to sponsor service dog organization 4 Paws for Ability through December by donating 1% of stock plush sales to the organization when distributors use reference code PLUSHGB23.