On September 12, the Kids In Need Foundation held its annual gala fundraiser at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The organization’s annual fundraiser marked its 22nd anniversary of changing lives through school supplies.

Attendees included 385 corporate executives, donors and friends from across the U.S. In addition, 40 teachers from the Twin Cities attended this year’s event as guests.

Since 2008, PPAI has supported Kids In Need by giving staff and volunteers access to samples and promotional products donated by generous exhibitors following The PPAI Expo each January. The products are funneled to teachers at underprivileged schools across the U.S. and used as incentives, prizes and rewards.

When a staff member from Kids In Need asked PPAI for a source that would donate gift bags for this year’s gala, Union, Illinois-based supplier BAG MAKERS, Inc. stepped up with 350 of its Royale Mesh Panel totes. The bags were packed with donated school supplies including stickers, crayons, notepads and markers. “It was the perfect bag for our gala and we received so many compliments on it,” says Jeanne Mock, director of special projects at Kids In Need Foundation. “The staff also adores it—we now carry them around as our work bags and love the advertising.”

Since its founding in 1995, Kids in Need has donated more than $900 million in school supplies and, in the past year alone, it has enriched the lives of more than five million students.

In January, staff and volunteers from the Kids In Need Foundation will be at The PPAI Expo throughout the week to collect donated promotional products. Find out how to donate here and learn more about the Foundation here.