Ready For Learning

Help 70,000+ Local Children
Be Ready To Learn in 2023!

Cradles to Crayons’ 2023 Ready for Learning initiative and its signature event, Backpack-A-Thon^®, will provide 70,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to kids in need across Massachusetts. In addition to school supplies, our Ready for Learning initiative provides thousands of other essential items—including clothing, shoes, and hygiene items—that every child needs to begin a new school year on a more equal playing field and feel “ready to go from head to toe”.

Why this matters.

Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states in the nation and 38% of all Massachusetts households with children recently reported struggling to afford weekly expenses.
Families spend an average of $432 on clothing and other non-electronic items to prepare their children for school, a figure far out of reach for the low-income and homeless communities Cradles to Crayons serves.

Support the Ready for Learning Initiative

Get involved in Backpack-A-Thon^® with your company!

Backpack-A-Thon is our signature Ready for Learning event, welcoming companies from across the state. Join this high-energy, corporate teambuilding event on August 3 at Agganis Arena to help fill thousands of backpacks with school supplies, alongside other volunteers, so that local kids are ready on the first day of school for a year of learning.
Check out the highlights from last year’s event!

Providing essential learning supplies to kids requires support. For more information on how your company can join our effort, please contact Robin Elliott at relliott@cradlestocrayons.org.
Engagement & Recognition Benefits by Support Level

Make a Personal Donation!

Cradles to Crayons needs your support to help get thousands of local children prepared to learn and dressed for success! Just $33 will provide one child with head-to-toe essentials: backpack with school supplies, seasonal clothing, shoes, hygiene products, books, and more.
Click here to make your donation today!