Since 2011, TD and TD Garden in the Community have joined city and community partners to help Greater Boston students begin the school year with essential supplies, valuable resources and confidence.
Key Points
- Boston-area students received 3,500 backpacks, school supplies, winter coats and other resources during the annual Back-to-School Celebration at TD Garden supported by TD, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division, Boston Public Schools and the City of Boston.
- TD Garden in the Community has donated more than 56,000 backpacks and more than $600,000 to support students and their families throughout Greater Boston.
- Nearly 200 volunteers, including approximately 40 TD colleagues, came together to support students and families during the 2026 celebration.
- TD Garden in the Community and Access the Arts powered by TD announced a $15,000 investment in Boston Public Schools' music and arts programs.
For many families, the start of a new school year brings excitement, anticipation and a long list of expenses.
For Jen Pinel, a mother of two from Boston, the annual Back-to-School Celebration at TD Garden has become an important tradition. This year was especially meaningful.
"This event means so much to our family because we have been struggling," Jen said. "Every bit helps, especially since we have a new baby on the way. We aren't in a place to buy these items without The Salvation Army's and TD Garden's support."
Jen's family has attended the event for years, returning this summer to receive school supplies, winter coats and other resources to help her son start the school year prepared and confident.
"Being able to pick out their own new backpack means so much," she said. "The new winter coats are a bonus."
Her story is one of thousands made possible through the annual celebration. Since 2011, TD and TD Garden along with community partners have distributed more than 56,000 backpacks and invested more than $600,000 to help Greater Boston students begin the school year prepared.
Beyond the bank's financial support, TD has long played an active role with volunteers serving alongside community partners in the Back-to-School Celebration and building connections with local families. This year, nearly 200 volunteers, including approximately 40 TD colleagues, welcomed families, distributed supplies and supported activities throughout the day.
As part of this year's milestone celebration, 3,500 backpacks, school supplies, winter coats and other essential resources were distributed to Boston-area students and families while investments were also made to create opportunities that will benefit students long after the first day of school.
"At TD, we believe strong communities start with strong opportunities," said Sheryl McQuade, Regional President of New England Metro, TD Bank U.S. "Preparing for a new school year can be challenging for many families, and our goal is to help students start the school year feeling prepared, confident and ready to make the most of the opportunities ahead."
How the annual summer event provides needed resources beyond pencil and paper
For families served by The Salvation Army, programs like the Back-to-School Celebration help ease difficult financial decisions that often accompany a new school year.
"Parents who come to The Salvation Army are often forced to make difficult decisions, like whether to buy needed school supplies for their kids, buy groceries or put gas in their car," said Kena Mena, Director of Social Services, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division.
During the 2026 event, families could also access health services, including medical, vision and dental checkups, helping students prepare for the school year beyond the classroom.
"This is about sharing TD Garden as a resource for the community," said Charlie Jacobs, CEO of the Boston Bruins.
Across Massachusetts, Salvation Army back-to-school programs help families access essential resources and support, ensuring children have what they need to focus on learning and growth.
Providing basic necessities may seem simple, but Kena says the impact can be significant.
"By helping meet this need, we're giving children the tools they need to start the school year ready to learn and succeed," she said. "The Back-to-School Celebration eases a financial burden for hardworking, struggling parents because it also provides them with an opportunity to spend quality time with their child and bring them to TD Garden, a place where many have never been."
For local mom Jen, the impact is deeply personal.
"My son is now prepared and ready to go for the new year," Jen said. "He started back at his charter school on Aug.19, and the supplies he received are already a big help."
Glen Thornborough, President of TD Garden and Chief Operating Officer of the Boston Bruins, said the event reflects a longstanding commitment to supporting their hometown.
"One of our biggest obligations and priorities as a community leader, whether it's the Boston Bruins or TD Garden, is finding a way to give back," Glen said. "We do well over 250 events a year, and this is probably one of the most special ones that we do. We have hundreds of engaged volunteers, including TD colleagues, and our partnership with The Salvation Army has allowed us to continue this momentum."
Thinking beyond the classroom
Needed school resources extend beyond the classroom.
TD Garden in the Community and Access the Arts powered by TD — an initiative focused on expanding access to arts and cultural opportunities throughout Greater Boston — announced a $15,000 investment in Boston Public Schools' (BPS) music and arts programs to support the district's newly formed marching band.
"Music and the arts are an essential part of a well-rounded education, giving our students opportunities to build creativity, confidence, discipline and a strong sense of belonging," said BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper. "The BPS All-Star Marching Band has brought together talented high school students from across our district to grow together as musicians and leaders, while building confidence and teamwork as they proudly represent BPS and our city."
Mary noted that support like the donation from TD Garden, along with support from the Legacy Women's Football Club and the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment, help ensure students will have uniforms and musical instruments, along with paid participation fees, so they can fully participate in the band.
The celebration also honored 15 BPS educators who dedicated their time beyond the classroom to supporting music and arts programs across the district and help shape students' futures.
Kids at the event got some hands-on learning too.
For a second year, The Trustees' Mobile Adventures team brought marine life education to the TD Garden floor, where students explored marine specimens collected from Massachusetts waters and learned from outdoor educators.
The experience reflected a broader goal of the event: creating opportunities that inspire curiosity, encourage learning and help students discover new interests.
A community effort with lasting impact
Fifteen years after the event first launched, the Back-to-School Celebration continues to demonstrate what can happen when organizations come together to meet a shared goal.
For Justin Cross, Branch Manager at Boston Fenway, TD Bank U.S., who has volunteered at the event since 2018, that impact is visible every year.
"The need, and the opportunity to make a difference, never goes away," Justin said. "Every year, there is another group of students preparing to take that next step in their education, and every family deserves to feel that they have a community behind them."