A Top 40 supplier is helping students start off the school year right.

Charles River Apparel (asi/44620) in Sharon, MA, recently collaborated with Cradles to Crayons, a charitable organization with locations in Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago that provides life essentials for low-income children. The organization’s Ready for Learning initiative gets school supplies, along with clothing, shoes and hygiene items, into the hands of kids ahead of the back-to-school season. To help with the effort, Charles River employees stuffed over 1,000 backpacks with school supplies and essentials for students across Massachusetts.

Charles River employees stuffed more than 1,000 backpacks with school supplies to be given to low-income students across Massachusetts.

The apparel supplier has worked with the philanthropic organization for more than 10 years on initiatives in both Boston and Chicago. “Cradles to Crayons is such a thoughtful, inspiring organization to work with,” said Deb Lipsett, co-owner of Charles River, in a statement. “They really know how to motivate the community to get involved and empower volunteers not only to give back but also to have fun doing so. We are proud to partner with such a great organization.”

In addition to stuffing backpacks, employees also sorted more than 600 pieces of donated fleece and jackets for the organization’s distribution needs.

“We want to ensure kids are prepared and confident for the school year,” said Katie Amoro, senior director of development for Cradles to Crayons, in a statement. “Our goal this year is to distribute 65,000 backpacks to homeless and low-income students across the state – our largest goal yet – and we are proud to be able to do this in such a challenging time.”  

Charles River has partnered with the charitable organization for over 10 years.

With 2020 North American revenue of $34.1 million, Charles River ranks 40^th on Counselor’s most recent ranking of the largest suppliers in the industry.