Back to school is more than just getting school supplies — 350 students in Des Moines schools were able to get everything they needed for the new school year and meet Iowa women’s basketball legend Caitlin Clark at North High School on Friday.

“Caitlin Clark is not only own of the world’s most talented and best-known athletes, she is also a generous soul,” said Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts in a news release. “She knows that when you succeed, you should give a little something back to help others succeed, and that’s exactly what she did today.”

The supplies benefited 300 students from Des Moines Public Schools and 50 area parochial school students selected by caseworkers, said Phil Roeder communications and public affairs director for the district.

The students and their parents gathered in the North High School gymnasium on Friday afternoon to get the supplies free of charge from the foundation, but they weren’t expecting to meet Caitlin Clark.

‘It was kept very, very secret’ foundation president says about Caitlin Clark’s visit with Des Moines students

Caitlin Clark visits North High School for a back-to-school backpack giveaway by the Caitlin Clark Foundation on Friday, August 2, 2024.
“It was kept very, very secret because we weren’t sure until the last minute whether she could come… We didn’t want to disappoint anybody,” Caitlin Clark Foundation President Mary Coffin told the Register. “But Caitlin was there. She interacted with the kids and she shot some basketballs with them. She loves it, she loves to be a part of it. It’s really her passion.”

The school supply-stuffed backpacks were given away as part of the Caitlin Clark Foundation’s “Back To School Backpacks” initiative. Nike supplied backpacks stuffed with necessary school supplies like notebooks, pens and pencils donated by Hy-Vee. Gatorade gave students water bottles.

“I know how fortunate I was to have a strong education and access to tools that allowed me to be successful in the classroom,” Clark said in a release. “School supplies are essential for every student’s learning and development, and the Caitlin Clark Foundation is grateful to our sponsors for their support in making this event possible.”

Clark’s visit came as a welcomed surprise. Students were able to not only get their backpacks and school supplies, but to get their picture taken with the basketball star and shoot some hoops with her.

“We were excited to welcome Caitlin to North High School today to meet students from across the district, and are honored to count the Caitlin Clark Foundation as a new DMPS partner in our important work of providing a quality education to the students of Des Moines,” Roberts said.

The district hopes to continue the partnership and not have the event be a one-time thing, Roeder said.

“It’s very rewarding and exciting for us to begin a relationship with the Caitlin Clark Foundation,” he said. “From talking to her and her family members … we suspect that this is not a one-and-done event, but that is the start of what we think will be a long, good relationship for the kids in our community.”

What is the Caitlin Clark Foundation?

Education, nutrition and sport.

Those are the three things Clark says helped her find success. The Caitlin Calrk Foundation is committed to providing food, clothes, sports gear and more to Iowa youth and communities.

Clark is passionate about supporting young adults in their pursuit of excellence, both on and off the court. Through initiatives such as educational programs, sports camps, food drives, clothing and gear donations, and community outreach, the foundation aims to make a positive impact in the lives of youth.

The non-profit has had initiatives including the Stock Up Campaign with the Coralville Community Food Pantry, the Warm Up and Gear Up campaigns with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa and the Fuel Up Campaign with Hy-Vee.