The MoE Backpack Drive has two components. One is the Backpack Drive Kickoff Gala which occurs in June of each year. The other is the MoE Backpack Give-Away event. The Backpack Drive Kickoff Gala is a community fundraiser that allows MoE supporters to enjoy a jovial atmosphere filled with delicious food and beverages, great music, and a lovely silent auction. Our silent auction includes hotel stays, luxury home furnishings, wine tasting party certificates, autographed paraphernalia, and more. During the MoE Backpack Drive Kickoff Gala, we feature our beneficiaries and garner support for our internal scholarship efforts. We also feature live entertainment for our guests to enjoy while they fellowship with us.

Because the Annual Backpack Drive always has a backpack acquisition goal associated with it, we ask guests to donate $25 upon entry to the Kickoff Gala. This donation amount complements the cost of a backpack filled with school supplies. However, our guests also have the option to bring with them a backpack filled with school supplies from a list that we solicit prior to the event. After the Kickoff Gala, the MoE Foundation continues to collect donations until the Backpack Give-Away event in August.

The MoE Foundation’s inaugural Backpack Drive occurred in June 2007 after acquiring 501c3 in January 2007. Our goal at that time was to acquire 100 backpacks with school supplies for three (3) beneficiaries of our choosing. Those beneficiaries were the (1) Great Plains Restoration Council (www.GPRC.org), (2) A Sister’s Gift Foundation (www.asistersgift.org), and (3) the 2000 Roses Foundation, a battered women’s shelter. We exceeded our goal by 25 backpacks. In 2008, for the 2nd Annual MoE Backpack Drive, we set a goal of acquiring 150 backpacks with school supplies. Once again we exceeded our goal, acquiring 165 backpacks with school supplies. Our beneficiaries were the Great Plains Restoration Council, the 2000 Roses Foundation, and Jonathan’s Place.

This year, the MoE Foundation acquired 225 backpacks with school supplies. Donations went to Jonathan’s Place, the South Dallas Cultural Center, and Fair Park area children.