United Way of Central Iowa and Sammons Financial Group Help Students Start the School Year Ready to Learn

Nearly 1,000 students across central Iowa will head back to school this fall with the supplies they need to learn, grow, and succeed, thanks to the support of Sammons® Financial Group and United Way of Central Iowa's annual Backpack Builders initiative.

As the 2026 Backpack Builders sponsor, Sammons Financial Group partnered with United Way of Central Iowa to provide 970 backpacks filled with essential school supplies for students served by local nonprofit partner organizations. In addition to sponsoring the event, Sammons employees volunteered their time to help assemble the backpacks, ensuring students and families receive support before the first day of school.

Backpack Builders is designed to help remove barriers to learning by equipping students with the tools they need to begin the school year prepared and confident. Each year, the initiative brings together businesses, volunteers, and community organizations to support educational success for local children and families.

"Backpack Builders is one of the many ways our community comes together to support local students and families," said Mary Sellers, president of United Way of Central Iowa. "We're grateful for Sammons Financial Group's partnership and commitment to helping students start the school year ready to learn. Their support allows us to reach more children and make an even greater impact."

Sammons Financial Group's sponsorship reflects the company's dedication to strengthening the communities where its employees live and work. By investing in local students and providing hands-on volunteer support, Sammons is helping ensure children have access to the resources they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

In addition to the support from Sammons Financial Group, Harvest Academy partnered with United Way of Central Iowa to help deliver backpacks to nonprofit partner organizations throughout the region. Their involvement highlights the power of community collaboration and helps connect students with critical resources before the school year begins.

Backpack Builders also serves as the kickoff event for United Way of Central Iowa's inaugural Month of Impact, a community-wide volunteer initiative that connects individuals and workplace teams with opportunities to support local nonprofits through service.

The initiative aligns with United Way of Central Iowa's UNITED to THRIVE strategy, particularly its focus on Early Childhood Success and Education Success. By providing students with the supplies they need to start the school year prepared, Backpack Builders helps create pathways for academic achievement and long-term success.

Through the generosity of Sammons Financial Group, volunteers, and community partners, hundreds of local students will begin the school year equipped with the tools they need and the confidence to thrive.