Back To The Bell is an annual back-to-school celebration organized by the Archetype Foundation, created to support students and families as they prepare for the upcoming school year. At the last Back To The Bell event we serviced a little over 400 individuals in the Puyallup community at Expedition Elementary school. With your help next year we can help even more families.
Designed as a fun and welcoming community gathering, Back To The Bell offers something for everyone. Attendees can enjoy free food, live entertainment, and a positive, family-friendly atmosphere. The event brings together local residents, volunteers, and organizations with the shared goal of uplifting the community and ensuring students start the school year with confidence.
Back-to-school season can create significant
expenses for families. From backpacks and
notebooks to shoes, clothing, and electronics,
the cost of preparing children for school
adds up quickly.
In Pierce County, thousands of children
are growing up in households experiencing
poverty. We believe financial circumstances
should never determine whether a child
begins school feeling prepared.
Estimated children under 18 living
in poverty, 2024.
Estimated share of Pierce County
children under 18 in poverty, 2024.
Average planned 2026 back-to-school
spending per K–12 shopping household.
Share of national back-to-school shoppers
planning to buy only initial essentials
and replenish later in 2026.
National shopping research and local
poverty estimates help explain why
free school supplies can provide
meaningful support to families.
Average planned spending by category,
per shopping household.
Source: National Retail Federation,
July 2026. Bars are scaled to the
highest category, not to a $100 budget.
Share of the 2026 national average
K–12 back-to-school spending budget
allocated to school supplies and
other categories.
Derived from NRF's 2026 category
spending estimates. Rounded shares.
Estimated number of children under 18
living below the poverty threshold.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area
Income and Poverty Estimates.
Bars are scaled to the highest year shown.
These figures are not counts of families
requesting school supplies.
At The Archetype Foundation, we believe
access is based on proximity. We bring
resources directly into the communities
where families need them.
Our annual
back-to-school celebration is designed
to reduce the pressure of purchasing
essential supplies, connect families
with local organizations, and create
an uplifting experience before
the school year begins.
A key highlight of the event is our backpack giveaway. This year, we are aiming to distribute 600 free backpacks filled with essential school supplies to students in need. By providing these resources, we hope to ease the financial burden on families and help set students up for academic success from day one.
In addition to food and entertainment, Back To The Bell will feature a variety of community partners who will be present to share valuable information, services, and resources. These organizations play an important role in connecting families with support systems that extend beyond the event itself.
Back To The Bell is more than just a one-day event—it is a celebration of community, generosity, and opportunity. Through this effort, the Archetype Foundation continues its mission to make a meaningful and lasting impact on local families.
Provide free backpacks filled
with essential school supplies
to help students prepare.
Bring community partners together
to share services, resources,
and opportunities with families.
Create a free, welcoming gathering
with food, music, entertainment,
and community connection.
Back To The Bell is designed to bring
students, parents, volunteers, and
community organizations together
in a positive and supportive environment.
Our goal is to distribute at least
600 free backpacks filled with
essential school supplies.
Families receive one redemption
ticket per school-aged child.
Meet organizations and businesses
dedicated to supporting students,
families, and our community.
Learn about available services
and helpful resources.
Enjoy free beef hotdogs,
music, live entertainment,
and face painting in a
welcoming family atmosphere.
We prioritize comfort, safety,
and respect so families can
participate, connect, and
enjoy the experience together.
At our previous Back To The Bell event
at Expedition Elementary School in
Puyallup, we served more than 400
members of the community.
Now we're working to expand our reach.
More than 400 individuals attended
and were served at the previous event
at Expedition Elementary.
Our upcoming-event goal is to provide
at least 600 backpacks with supplies.
This is a target, not a completed
distribution count.
At The Archetype Foundation, we see
Back To The Bell as more than an event.
It's an opportunity to show families
that their community is standing
beside them.
At The Archetype Foundation, we believe
meaningful community impact is made
possible through collaboration. Our
2026 Back To The Bell event is supported
by dedicated organizations, businesses,
and community partners who share our
commitment to helping Pierce County
students and families prepare for a
successful school year. We are proud
to recognize and thank the following
sponsors and partners for standing
alongside us in serving our community.
To every sponsor and partner: thank you
for investing in our students, supporting
local families, and helping us build
a stronger Pierce County community.
Together, we are making Back To The Bell
more than an event—we are creating
opportunities for children to begin
the school year with confidence.
We are inviting businesses, community
organizations, families, and individuals
to join us in making Back To The Bell
a powerful community experience.
Donate, volunteer, or become
a community partner.
Event dates, location, and distribution
details should be confirmed through
our official
event announcements.
BACK TO
THE BELL.
THE FIRST DAY
SHOULDN'T START WITH A FINANCIAL BURDEN.
Pierce County Children
Local Child Poverty
National K–12 Spending
Essentials First
THE COST OF
BEING READY.
2026 National K–12 Spending
What Families Budget For
Pierce County Child Poverty, 2020–2024
WE CAN'T CONTROL
THE COST OF SCHOOL.
BUT WE CAN HELP
CHANGE THE START.
MORE THAN
A BACKPACK.
BACKPACKS & SCHOOL SUPPLIES
LOCAL RESOURCES & PARTNERS
FREE FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
A SUPPORTIVE SPACE
WE'VE ALREADY
STARTED MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS SERVED
BACKPACK DISTRIBUTION GOAL
WE'RE HELPING FAMILIES CARRY
LESS OF THE BURDEN.
WHEN YOU INVEST
IN OUR COMMUNITY,
YOU INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN.
EVENT SPONSORS
& PARTNERS: 2026
HELP US FILL
600 BACKPACKS.