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A strong start to the school year can make a meaningful difference for students and families. From packing backpacks and collecting school supplies to leading nutrition workshops and supporting community events, Aramark employees demonstrated a shared commitment to helping students succeed. Through 30 projects across five countries, Aramark volunteers came together to support thousands of young people and their families, providing the resources, encouragement, and opportunities needed for a strong start to the school year. These efforts reflect Aramark's ongoing commitment to strengthening communities and creating positive impact where employees live and work.
“The transition back to school can be both exciting and challenging for many students and families,” said Rebecca Owens, Director of Community Relations at Aramark. “Across the globe, our employees stepped up to support students in meaningful ways, and I’m inspired by the passion and the collective action they demonstrated. Together, we are strengthening communities and helping build brighter futures for young people."
Aramark International
- Canada: In partnership with EMPOWER, Aramark volunteers participated in three back-to-school service projects across Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Volunteers supported Broadway Neighbourhood Centre Inc., Willow Place Inc., and Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank by collecting school supplies and assembling backpacks to help students start the school year prepared for success.
- Chile: Volunteers partnered with America Solidaria to host a Healthy Snack Workshop for 120 sixth-grade students at Victor Jara School in Estación Central. Led by an Aramark chef, the workshop included nutrition education, healthy snack kits, and recipe booklets to support healthy eating throughout the school year.
- South Korea: In partnership with EMPOWER, one of the company’s employee resource groups, Aramark volunteers in South Korea supported The Ronald McDonald House by donating 100 sets of school supplies for children staying at the Ronald McDonald House Korea.
- United Kingdom: Volunteers supported YoungMinds, a mental health organization for young people, by collecting and donating 140 backpacks filled with school supplies to help students prepare for the new school year and be ready to thrive.
Middle Tennessee
As students across Middle Tennessee prepared to head back to school, Aramark employees from more than 10 accounts and functions gathered to make a meaningful impact through the Stuff the Bus campaign and Battle of the Backpacks challenge. Together, teams collected more than 2,600 school supplies and assembled more than 200 backpacks for students served by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, ensuring they have the tools needed for a successful school year.
The campaign combined community impact with friendly competition, with the Global Business Services (GBS) Payroll Team earning the inaugural G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Teams) Award and the Tennessee State University team securing a strong second-place finish. To celebrate the winning team's efforts, several leaders volunteered to be pied in the face, creating plenty of laughter and memorable moments.
"While the backpacks and school supplies will make a lasting difference for local students, the true highlight was seeing colleagues from across the business come together, build connections, and rally around a cause that matters," said Elizabeth Guthrie, Vice President of Aramark Global Business Services.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia-area volunteers came together to support two back-to-school initiatives. Aramark partnered with longtime community partner Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, a local nonprofit that helps families achieve stability and success. During the organization's annual back-to-school celebration, volunteers distributed backpacks filled with school supplies and provided water to attending community members. Through this effort, more than 216 students received backpacks and the supplies needed for a successful start to the school year.
Employees also rallied to support second-grade students at Thomas G. Morton Elementary School. After receiving a heartfelt email directly from a teacher at the school, the Community Relations team donated new classroom chairs and partnered with Aramark’s Synergy Employee Resource Group (ERG) to provide school supplies and requested books.
Support for the school continued during Collegiate Hospitality’s annual Foundations meeting at Aramark Headquarters, which brought together new leaders for impactful training, networking, and professional development. As part of a community service project, attendees assembled and donated pencil cases filled with essential school supplies for students.
The volunteer activity held special meaning for one participant. Chef Michael Carter, a former Thomas G. Morton Elementary School student, was excited to give back. “This was a full circle moment for me. As a former student, it was incredibly rewarding to help give back to a place that helped shape my early years. Seeing Aramark and its employees come together to support students and teachers reminds me of the positive impact we can have when we invest in our communities.”
Florida
Three locations across Florida hosted back-to-school initiatives to support local students and families. In Miami, volunteers partnered with longtime nonprofit partner Branches for its 10th annual back-to-school event. Through the event, Aramark helped support 550 Branches families as they prepared for the new school year. In Tampa, volunteers supported The Spring by assembling 48 backpacks filled with school supplies. In Wilton Manors, Florida, Aramark volunteers partnered with Kids in Distress Inc., to conduct a school supply donation drive and assemble 130 backpacks.
Maryland and Virginia
- Baltimore, Maryland: Aramark employees volunteered with United Way of Maryland at its annual back-to-school event at James McHenry School, providing community meals.
- Richmond, Virginia: Aramark employees partnered with longtime nonprofit partner, FRIENDS Association of Children, and volunteers packed nearly 70 backpacks with essential school supplies.
Across five countries, Aramark volunteers turned their commitment to service into meaningful action, helping thousands of students and families begin the school year ready to learn, grow, and succeed.
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