The Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM) has successfully completed its 2026 Backpack & School Supply Drive in partnership with Backpacks 4 Kids AZ, a local nonprofit that supports children and families experiencing financial hardship. The drive, held from June 10 through June 24, collected backpacks and school supplies to ensure students begin the school year equipped for success.
Tom Emele, chair of the AACM Outreach Committee, emphasized the importance of the initiative: "Our children are the future. We all need to properly equip them on their education journey. This opportunity partnering with Backpacks 4 Kids AZ is a perfect way to support our children."
Collection sites were hosted by AACM and participating member management companies throughout the Valley, making donating convenient for members. After the drive ended, AACM Outreach Committee members volunteered on June 26 to sort and organize the donations before delivery. The supplies were delivered to Backpacks 4 Kids AZ on June 30, where they will be distributed to local students and families in time for the new school year.
The partnership addresses a significant need in the community. According to Michele Tallberg, director of Backpacks 4 Kids AZ, "Every child deserves to walk into their classroom on the first day of school feeling prepared and confident. In Phoenix, thousands of students lack the basic supplies needed to succeed. Backpacks 4 Kids AZ helps roughly 3,000 students with backpacks and school supplies annually, and we support over 400 families with food each week. We are incredibly grateful for the support of organizations like AACM, which allow us to continue providing for these children."
This outreach effort highlights the community association industry's commitment to strengthening the communities it serves. AACM, a nonprofit professional organization representing community association managers and industry business partners across Arizona, organizes such initiatives through its Outreach Committee. The committee, made up of AACM members, dedicates time to planning charitable efforts that give back to Arizona communities.
The drive's success was made possible by volunteers, donors, collection sites, committee members, and participating companies. Their support reflects the industry's ongoing commitment to community engagement. For more information about Backpacks 4 Kids AZ and their programs, visit backpacks4kidsaz.org. To learn more about AACM's outreach efforts, visit aacmonline.org.
The initiative underscores the importance of community partnerships in addressing educational inequities and supporting families in need. By providing essential supplies, AACM and Backpacks 4 Kids AZ are helping to ensure that thousands of Arizona students start the school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed.
