Starting a new school year without the basics—backpacks, supplies, decent shoes—shouldn’t be a thing in 2026. But for too many families across Texas, it still is. That’s where the Texas Trust Credit Union Gives Foundation stepped in with $70,000 in Community Impact grants spread across 10 school districts in North and Central Texas.
Think of it as a major back-to-school boost for students who might otherwise show up empty-handed.
More Than Just Writing Checks
Here’s what sets this apart from your typical corporate charitable giving: Texas Trust didn’t just cut checks and call it a day. The foundation sent 45 employees into the field to volunteer at back-to-school events, rolling up their sleeves to help families directly. Because apparently, they understand that community impact means actually showing up in the community.
“Helping students start the school year with the necessary resources they need is one of the most tangible ways we can make a difference,” said Washima Huq, executive director of the Texas Trust Gives Foundation. “But our impact doesn’t stop with financial support. Our employees believe in giving their time and being present in the communities we serve.”
Where the Money Went
The grants hit school districts across a wide swath of Texas—Arlington, Athens, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Lewisville, Mansfield, and San Angelo ISDs all got a piece of the $70,000 pie.
But each district used the funding differently, tailoring it to what their students actually needed:
- Arlington, Cedar Hill, Lewisville, and San Angelo ISDs hosted back-to-school events that loaded up underserved students with backpacks and school supplies
- Mansfield ISD focused on shoes—because worn-out sneakers are a barrier nobody should have to deal with
- Cedar Hill ISD also supported its Longhorn Care Closet, a resource hub for uniforms and other essentials
Supporting Students Beyond September
Some of the smartest grants in the bunch addressed needs that don’t magically disappear after the first day of school. These are the programs tackling food insecurity and basic necessities year-round.
In Athens, the grant funds a weekend food program—nonperishable items for students who might otherwise go hungry when school’s not in session. Grand Prairie ISD took a similar approach with Weekend Stability Packs that include food, hygiene products, clothing, and other necessities.
Fort Worth ISD’s THRIVE Market serves refugee and asylum-seeking families with food and toiletries—addressing a critical gap for some of the community’s most vulnerable newcomers.
Meanwhile, DeSoto ISD created a Student Sustainability and Essentials Initiative (fancy name for making sure kids have uniforms, shoes, jackets, backpacks, and hygiene products when hardship hits). And Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD used its grant to outfit additional cadets in its Navy National Defense Cadet Corps program with the uniforms and gear they need to participate.
The bottom line? These grants tackle the unglamorous but essential barriers that can derail a student’s education—from empty stomachs on weekends to missing school supplies to shoes that don’t fit. It’s the kind of practical support that makes a real difference in whether kids can show up, focus, and succeed.