With summer vacation just days away, Alexandria leaders were on hand at Francis C. Hammond Middle School on Thursday (June 5) to receive 500 free backpacks filled with school supplies.
The backpacks, most of which are being stored for the start of the 2025-2026 school year, were donated to the Title I school as part of a collaboration between United Way National Capital Area, Enterprise Mobility, and American Water. United Way NCA’s partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools has provided more than 3,500 backpacks to the West End school since 2017.
“The power of teaching and empowering students changes our world,” ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said. “I will be forever grateful that we can open our doors to our families and our students each day to have their needs met, to grow those families and be successful. I’m so grateful for your partnerships.”
Principal Anika Buster-Singleton stated that the school received 300 backpacks from United Way NCA at the beginning of the current school year.
“It makes a difference in a family to know that they don’t have to worry about school supplies, hygiene supplies, and so forth,” Buster-Singleton said, “When they walk through these doors, not only are those their students going to receive an education, but they’re also going to have those needs met.”
Following the remarks, United Way NCA and American Water volunteers joined students for a “hands-on STEM in the Schoolyard experience.”
