Ready for Learning Philadelphia
Ready for Learning
Help 75,000 Greater Philadelphia Area Children Get What They Need To Learn This Fall
The Need
Starting school without the tools needed to succeed can put big obstacles in a developing child’s way. Items like backpacks, art supplies, writing tools, and back-to-school clothing and shoes are imperative to help get children mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared for school. With these tools, they are more likely to attend school and complete homework — knowing they have the same chance at school success as their peers. Parents can focus on rent and groceries instead of facing the stress of school-related expenses.
Our Response
This year, the Cradles to Crayons Ready for Learning initiative will distribute 75,000 backpacks filled with new, age-appropriate school supplies and packages filled with shoes, clothing, and more. These items will be distributed through our network of Service Partners to ensure that kids throughout Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, and Northern Delaware arrive at school on the first day prepared and excited to learn!
Why sponsor Ready for Learning?
- Three of the top 10 reasons children miss school are related to Clothing Insecurity and a lack of school supplies.
- For more than 20 million kids across the country, their families do not have the resources to ensure students can start the year with the school supplies and clothing they need.
- Cradles to Crayons serves more than 200,000 Philadelphia area children each year with high-quality everyday essentials.
Backpack-A-Thon® Event Opportunities
Get your company involved in Backpack-A-Thon!
500+ corporate volunteers + 75,000 backpacks packed = local kids in need are Ready for Learning!
Backpack-A-Thon is our signature Ready for Learning event, welcoming companies from across Greater Philadelphia. Join this high-energy, corporate teambuilding event this summer 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. This summer, there are multiple Backpack-A-Thon volunteer opportunities:
WILMINGTON, DE
July 1, 2025
Chase Center on the Riverfront
PHILADELPHIA, PA
August 14, 2025
Lincoln Financial Field
View our Partnership Opportunities and Benefits
Providing essential learning supplies to kids requires support. For more information on how your company can join our effort, please contact Daniele Kockler at dkockler@cradlestocrayons.org.
This was such an amazing experience! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to volunteer! So happy to have been a part of this and can’t wait to do it next year.
2025 Ready for Learning Supporters
Premier
Presenting
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation 
Bronze
Aberdeen • Arcadium Lithium • Bank of America • BlackRock • CHOP • Comparion Insurance Agency • DOW • Dakota • EwingCole • Future Standard
GBLI • Harmelin Media • Harmony Biosciences • Hilco Redevelopment Partners • Jefferson Avenue Insurance • JPMorgan Chase & Co.
McCarter & English LLP • Newrez • PEPCO • Principal Financial Group • Radius • Raymond James • RS Integrated Supply • WSFS Bank
Friend
Brown & Brown Insurance • Guidehouse • Mondrian