See the full story here: https://www.azfamily.com/2025/07/14/mesa-nonprofit-collecting-school-supplies-kids-need/
Filling the Truck, For Back to School Season
A New Leaf recently hosted its Fill the Truck school supply drive, a community effort to ensure that every child starts the school year with the tools they need to succeed. With the support of community members, volunteers, and partners, the event gathered hundreds of essential supplies for students from families experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, foster care, and other challenges.
Former Mesa Mayor John Giles, who recently joined A New Leaf’s Board of Directors, joined in the effort by greeting families and encouraging donations throughout the day. The drive featured three “pit stops” across the Valley, where supporters dropped off backpacks, notebooks, water bottles, binders, and more. At the Udall Shumway stop in Mesa, volunteers and donors celebrated with shaved ice treats while filling the truck with supplies for local students.
“This event is a perfect example of what happens when a community comes together to support its children,” said Laura Bode, Chief Philanthropy Officer at A New Leaf. “The generosity of our partners and donors helps level the playing field for students who are facing tremendous barriers outside the classroom.”
Community Support for Students in Need
The Fill the Truck initiative highlighted the power of community partnerships, with local businesses, churches, and volunteers working side by side to make a tangible impact. At every stop, the sight of a growing pile of backpacks and school supplies served as a reminder of how much the community cares about its students.
A New Leaf is especially grateful to our partners, Phoenix Theater, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Alta Mesa Stake, and Udall Shumway PLC, for hosting Fill the Truck pit stops and rallying their communities to support students in need. Their leadership and generosity made this year’s drive possible.
For children served by A New Leaf, these supplies represent opportunity, confidence, and hope for the year ahead. By equipping students with the essentials, Fill the Truck helps ensure that children in shelters and transitional housing can focus on learning and growth, not what they lack. From everyone at A New Leaf, we extend heartfelt thanks to every donor, volunteer, and partner who helped Fill the Truck this year. Together, we are giving students the chance to start school strong and reach their full potential.