America First Credit Union launches 15th annual Backpack Bonanza to help students start school prepared

Community donations will help provide more than 2,500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to students across six states

RIVERDALE, Utah (July 1, 2026) – The America First Charitable Foundation has officially launched its 15th Annual Back-to-School Backpack Bonanza, a community-wide effort to help students start the school year equipped for success.

Donations of new backpacks, school supplies, and monetary contributions will be accepted through August 8, 2026. All donations will benefit schools and community organizations serving children in the six states where America First Credit Union operates.

Since the program began in 2011, Backpack Bonanza has helped thousands of students receive the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. Thanks to the generosity of employees, members, community partners, and donors, approximately 6,631 backpacks filled with essential school supplies have been distributed.

Partnerships with organizations such as Dell Technologies, Interform and Real Salt Lake have helped expand the program’s reach and impact throughout the western United States.

This year, the foundation has set its most ambitious goal yet: providing than 2,500 backpacks filled with supplies for students in need. Organizers encourage employees, members, and community supporters to contribute by donating school supplies, making a financial contribution, or helping spread awareness of the campaign.

“Every child deserves the tools they need to learn, grow, and reach their full potential,” said Amber Greenwell, executive director of the America First Charitable Foundation. “Backpack Bonanza gives our employees, members and communities a simple way to make a meaningful difference for students and families as they prepare for a new school year.”

How to Help

Donate new school supplies

Collection boxes are available at America First branch locations and employee facilities. Needed items include:

• Backpacks
• Binders and folders
• Pencil boxes
• Paper and notebooks
• Colored pencils
• Glue sticks
• Markers and crayons
• Highlighters
• Rulers
• Scissors

Make a monetary donation

Financial donations can be used to purchase additional supplies and fill more backpacks. Members may contribute through online or mobile banking by transferring funds to the designated Backpack Bonanza account. Community members may also donate through the foundation’s online giving platform.

Backpack Bonanza at a glance

• Celebrating its 15^th year in 2026
• Accepting donations through August 8, 2026.
• Supporting students in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
• Seeking to provide more than 2,500 backpacks filled with school supplies this year.
• Approximately 6,631 backpacks have been distributed since the program began in 2011.

Once donations are collected, volunteers will fill the backpacks before they are distributed to schools and community organizations throughout America First’s service area.

Every backpack represents an opportunity to help a student walk into a classroom prepared, confident and ready to learn.

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION 
Founded in 1939, America First Credit Union has grown from a single branch serving military personnel and federal employees into one of the strongest and most progressive credit unions in the country. The credit union is the largest in Utah and has 117 locations across Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. It is also the fifth largest credit union in America with more than 1.5 million members, and the sixth largest in assets with more than $24 billion. America First Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative dedicated to building communities and helping members do more with their money. Learn more at americafirst.com.