KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City and Hope Center KC have partnered for the second year to provide local students with new backpacks and school supplies through the "Adopt a Backpack and School Supply Drive." The initiative, led by Sporting Kansas City's Community Impact team, brought together more than 80 front office associates and players who contributed by purchasing supplies, assembling backpacks, and spreading awareness among partners.

Maigan Bridgette, Community Impact Manager at Sporting Kansas City, explained the motivation behind the project. “We all have a memory associated with going back to school and starting the year with new items,” she said. “You remember how you felt. This is why this initiative spoke to so many associates and why we had so many who wanted to be a part of it in some way, whether that was purchasing supplies, spreading the word to SKC partners, loading cars full of backpacks, etc.”

This year's event built on last year's partnership with Guadalupe Centers when Sporting Kansas City adopted a classroom. For 2025, the club worked alongside Hope Center KC. Bridgette highlighted the spirit of collaboration: “Something really special about this project is that it showcases the community-focused heart of the club, its associates, and partners.”

Forward Mason Toye was among those who volunteered early in the process. He adopted a backpack for Carter, making sure he was prepared for his first day of school with a new Sporting kit. Other associates, players, and coaching staff also participated.

In total, 75 personalized backpacks were assembled for children in need across Kansas City. Each bag included essential school supplies tailored to each student’s grade level and interests as well as sporting merchandise from SportingStyle. Associates could contribute by adopting a backpack or helping assemble them ahead of delivery.

The drive is part of Sporting Cares Platform—an ongoing program focused on supporting individuals facing adversity in the community through donations and various drives such as book drives and food drives.

On August 5th, Sporting associates gathered to fill each backpack with supplies and handwritten letters offering encouragement for the upcoming school year. Notes like “You got this!” were included to motivate students.

Players Mason Toye, Stephen Afrifa, and Zorhan Bassong delivered completed backpacks directly to students at Hope Center KC during an event hosted at The Gathering KC—a venue designed as a space for community engagement by local architects.

The event received support from several partners including Price Chopper (providing sandwiches and cookies) and Highland Dairy (supplying ice cream). Sporting KC’s mascot Blue attended as well.

Bridgette expressed optimism about future efforts: “It has been exciting to see how this platform and initiatives take shape and grow in impact,” she said. “I am looking forward to continuing to do good work alongside our community.”

More information about Sporting KC's Community Impact activities can be found at www.sportingkc.com/community.