The New England Patriots and their owner, Robert Kraft, have always been involved in philanthropy. Specifically, the Kraft family foundation has donated more than $400 million to various charities and causes. 

This week, Kraft and the Patriots announced on the team’s website that they have teamed up with the New England Patriots Foundation, New England Revolution Charitable Foundation, the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation (MMSF), and Ocean State Job Lot for Operation Backpack.

Giving Back to the Military Community and Families

Operation Backpack will give 30,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to military families across the region. With school-age children preparing to return to school soon, the Patriots will be providing these items to Massachusetts children from military families to get their school year off on the right foot.

“We are excited to once again team with the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation for Operation Backpack,” said Josh Kraft, president of Kraft Family Philanthropies and the son of Robert Kraft. “With students set to return to the classrooms this fall, we want to make sure that they are put in a position to succeed. With the support of our fans, 30,000 students will be well-equipped for the upcoming school year.”

Don Cox, the founder of the Massachusetts Military Support Fund, appreciated the gesture by Kraft and the Patriots.

“School supplies can be a significant cost, especially for junior enlisted personnel and those with multiple children in the home who may be struggling to meet basic needs,” he said.

“Military children often face moving multiple times and changing schools or having a parent deploy. We are proud to partner with the Patriots, Revolution, Operation Homefront, and Dollar Tree Stores to provide military children with the basic tools needed to participate in school. It is just one small way to show them they are supported by the community,” Cox added.

As the Kraft Group’s website states,

“Robert and Myra Kraft each came from families that taught and practiced the principles of philanthropy. Fifty years ago, they began their own mission of philanthropy and taught their children the importance and value of giving back. Today, with more than $400 million in donations from the Kraft family and their foundations, the power of philanthropy has been felt by youth and families around the world by assisting programs that foster cultural diversity, education, family, and health.”