Contribution will provide backpacks for hundreds of local students.  

ABERDEEN, Wash. — For the fifth consecutive year, Invenergy's Grays Harbor Energy Center has donated every backpack distributed through the Back to School Marketplace, helping ensure local students begin the school year equipped for success.

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Over the past five years, Invenergy's generosity has provided more than 5,000 backpacks to children throughout Grays Harbor and Pacific counties. This year, the nonprofit expects to serve at least 1,300 students during its annual Back to School Marketplace event, where families can receive free backpacks, school supplies, clothing, shoes, and connections to community resources. Invenergy's contribution is one part of the community-wide support from businesses, organizations, churches, civic groups, and individual donors that makes the annual event possible.  

 

"Invenergy's continued support demonstrates a shared commitment to helping every student succeed," said Laney Mortimeyer, President of the Back to School Marketplace. "Their partnership allows us to remove barriers to education while giving children the confidence, dignity, and hope they deserve as they begin a new school year. Together, we're building a stronger community where every student has the opportunity to thrive."

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“The Back to School Marketplace serves the community in a way that strongly resonates with Invenergy’s commitment to education and youth development,” said Adam Abel, Plant Manager at Grays Harbor Energy Center. “We are thrilled to support such an important program as part of our long-term partnership with the local community.”

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Back to School Marketplace relies on grants, community partnerships, fundraisers, and individual donations to meet its annual goals. By providing all of the backpacks, Invenergy helps eliminate one of the organization's largest annual expenses, allowing fundraising efforts to focus on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and other essentials.

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The nonprofit currently welcomes support from individuals, businesses, civic groups, and organizations through:

• Financial donations

• New school supplies

• New children's clothing

• New shoes

• New socks and underwear

• Volunteer service

• Community donation drives

 

Current needs are especially great for school supplies and new clothing for children ages 5–12, including shirts, pants, coats, socks, and shoes.

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Although the annual event is held in Aberdeen because of its central location and accessibility to public transportation, organizers emphasize that the program serves students from throughout the region. Families from Grays Harbor, Pacific, Mason, Thurston, and Lewis counties have attended after learning about the event through friends, local media, community partners, and social media.

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The organization also depends on an extraordinary volunteer effort. Between event setup, the Marketplace itself, and teardown, approximately 50 volunteers contribute more than 1,000 volunteer hours over two days to make the event possible.

"Every family comes to us for a different reason," Mortimeyer said. "But they all share the same hope that their children feel respected, confident, and prepared to succeed. We never lose sight of why we're here. As one of our longtime volunteers beautifully says, 'We clothe kids with confidence.'"

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The Back to School Marketplace encourages community members to get involved by volunteering, hosting donation drives or fundraisers, inviting the organization to speak at community events, or making financial or in-kind donations throughout the year.

Organizers also hope this story inspires other local businesses to partner in supporting students and families across the region.

For more information, to donate, volunteer, or learn about this year's event, visit BackToSchoolMarketplace.com or follow Back to School Marketplace on Facebook.

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About Back to School Marketplace

Back to School Marketplace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Aberdeen, Washington, dedicated to helping every student begin the school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed. Established in 2016, the organization provides free backpacks, school supplies, clothing, shoes, and connections to community resources for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

 

Serving families throughout Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, and welcoming students from neighboring communities, the annual event is made possible through the generosity of donors, community partners, and volunteers who share a commitment to removing barriers to education and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. To learn more, volunteer, or make a donation, visit www.BackToSchoolMarketplace.com or follow Back to School Marketplace on Facebook.