As thousands of local students prepare to head back to the classroom, one longtime community partner is once again helping ensure they have the tools they need to start the school year with confidence.

For the fifth consecutive year, Invenergy's Grays Harbor Energy Center has donated every backpack distributed through the Back to School Marketplace, providing an essential resource for families across Grays Harbor and neighboring counties.

Over the past five years, Invenergy's continued support has placed more than 5,000 backpacks into the hands of local students. This year alone, organizers expect to serve at least 1,300 children during the annual Back to School Marketplace, where families can receive free backpacks, school supplies, clothing, shoes, and access to valuable community resources.

While Invenergy's backpack donation eliminates one of the nonprofit's largest annual expenses, organizers say the event is made possible through the collective efforts of local businesses, churches, civic organizations, community groups, volunteers, and individual donors.

"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."

For Invenergy, supporting the program aligns with the company's ongoing investment in education and youth development throughout the region.

"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."

The Back to School Marketplace relies on grants, fundraisers, corporate partnerships, and community donations each year to meet growing demand. By covering the full cost of every backpack, Invenergy allows fundraising dollars to be directed toward other essential items, including school supplies, clothing, shoes, and hygiene necessities.

Organizers say the need remains significant, especially for donations of new school supplies and children's clothing for ages 5 to 12, including shirts, pants, coats, socks, and shoes.

Although the annual event is hosted in Aberdeen because of its central location and access to public transportation, the Marketplace serves families from throughout Southwest Washington. Students from Grays Harbor, Pacific, Mason, Thurston, and Lewis counties have all benefited from the program after learning about it through schools, community organizations, local media, friends, and social media.

Behind the scenes, the event is powered by an impressive volunteer effort. Approximately 50 volunteers contribute more than 1,000 combined volunteer hours over two days to set up, operate, and tear down the Marketplace.

"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.'"

The Back to School Marketplace encourages community members, businesses, civic groups, and organizations to become involved by volunteering, hosting donation drives or fundraisers, inviting representatives to speak at community events, or making financial and in-kind donations throughout the year.

Organizers also hope the continued partnership with Invenergy inspires other local businesses to invest in programs that strengthen families and help students begin the school year ready to learn.

For more information about volunteering, donating, or participating in this year's Back to School Marketplace, visit BackToSchoolMarketplace.com or follow Back to School Marketplace on Facebook.