The school year kicked off with excitement and support for over 1,500 school-aged children in the Town of Islip, thanks to National Grid’s back-to-school initiative, Empowering Futures – One Backpack at a Time. The program provided backpacks filled with school supplies, personal care items, and other essentials to help students begin the academic year with confidence.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by National Grid to distribute more than 20,000 backpacks across its New York service area throughout August and September.

“At National Grid, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to start the school year with dignity,” said Robert Simmons III, Vice President for US Social Impact and Community Engagement and Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation. “Providing backpacks filled with essential supplies is more than a gesture; it’s a statement that we see their potential and are committed to supporting their journey.”

“For 18 years, this rally has been more than just about giving away backpacks—it’s been about giving hope, building community, and empowering our children to believe in their future,” said William K. Moss III, President of the NAACP Islip–Smithtown Branch.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone who made this year’s backpack collection drive a success. Because of your generosity, more than 1,500 school-aged children in our community will start the school year prepared and confident. This initiative is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together in support of our families, our schools, and our future,” said Islip Town Supervisor, Angie Carpenter.

The Back to School, Stay in School Rally, held at the Alfaro Administration Building in Central Islip and sponsored by the NAACP Islip–Smithtown Branch, was filled with energy as students received their new gear. Over 2,500 people attended the Rally which was a huge success. National Grid volunteers were on hand to share information about energy-saving programs and affordability resources.

Backpacks were also distributed to several community partners, including:

• The Episcopal Church of Christ
• Lawrence School District
• Hope Missionary Church
• Joseph Storehouse Food Pantry
• St. Anne's Church
• Global Leaders Outreach Network
• Remnant Cultural Center
• Central Islip Football
• EOC of Suffolk Health & Wellness

National Grid’s Social Impact and Community Engagement efforts aim to address community needs by increasing access to affordable energy, developing the energy workforce of tomorrow, and supporting nonprofits that serve customers across the region.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.