Coke Florida Equips 5,000 Students with Backpacks and School Supplies

Preparing Florida students for a successful school year

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida), has launched its annual Backpack Giveback program for Florida students returning to school for the new academic year. The locally owned and operated Coca-Cola bottler will distribute over 5,000 backpacks for the second year in row.

The Coke Florida Backpack Giveback initiative, one of the company’s longest-running programs under its Education community pillar, has donated nearly 25,000 backpacks since 2018. The number of backpacks donated has increased over the life of the program, representing an ongoing commitment to providing resources where they are needed most. To date, Coke Florida has invested nearly $150,000 in back-to-school contributions.

"We know that many families in our community are realizing economic challenges and the beginning of a new school year can be a financial burden. As a local business within the community, it’s important that we support the communities where we live, work and play. This is why we’re committed to providing relief for families in need,” said Percy L. Wells, II, Group Vice President of Government Relations, Public Affairs, and Communications at Coke Florida. “Our goal is simple: help as many students as possible with the necessary school supplies needed to set them up for success in the classroom and beyond.”

Backpacks filled with essential school supplies will be donated to K-12 students across Coke Florida’s 47-county footprint. The company is partnering with local schools, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to host backpack distribution events.

About Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) is a family-owned company that is the sixth largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Coke Florida has an exclusive sales and distribution territory that covers over 21 million consumers across 47 Florida counties and includes the major metropolitan markets of Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. Coke Florida manufactures, markets, sells, warehouses, and distributes a diverse portfolio of over 600 products of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies. Coke Florida is the 4^th largest Black-owned businesses in the United States and one of the largest minority-owned business in Florida. In 2022 and 2023, Coke Florida was named a US Best Managed Company by Deloitte-Private and The Wall Street Journal for excellence in strategy, execution, culture, and governance/financials. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. To learn more, visit www.cocacolaflorida.com.