Academy Sports and French Toast Outfit 1,000 Houston Students

The shopping event, held on July 28, paired local students from the non-profit organization BEAR with Academy employees to select uniforms matched to specific district dress codes. Beyond the clothing, children received socks and sports equipment as part of a $50,000 in-kind product donation. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial strain families often face during the back-to-school season while ensuring students begin the year with the necessary resources to feel confident in the classroom.

This marks the second consecutive year Academy has hosted a major volunteer drive for students. Last year, the retailer partnered with Operation Homefront to provide 1,500 backpacks to military families across Texas and Louisiana. For BEAR, which assists over 17,000 children in the Greater Houston area who have experienced abuse or neglect, this partnership provides a critical bridge to meeting basic needs. Executive Director Tammy Hetmaniak noted that such support provides not just supplies, but a sense of security and dignity for children in crisis.