(ARLINGTON, TX) JULY 20, 2026 — As families prepare for the upcoming school year, we have an incredible opportunity to come together and make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. What started as a successful localized effort at our Texas campuses is officially expanding. We are thrilled to announce that our “Bring Your Own Backpack” school supply giveaway is now a unified Ancora corporate initiative!
Every single one of our ground campuses across our Ancora Education brands—Arizona Automotive Institute (AAI), Berks Technical Institute (BTI), Miller-Motte College (MMC), and South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT)—will be participating. By standardizing this initiative across all locations, we are maximizing our collective reach to help local school-age children start their school years with confidence, preparation, and essential tools to help them succeed.
The core concept remains straightforward and highly impactful for families. Local families are invited to bring their school-aged children and their personal backpacks to our campuses. Our teams will fill them up with essential school supplies completely free of charge. Supplies are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Children must be physically present to receive their supplies.
“At Ancora, we believe that education is the catalyst for change—and that begins long before a student ever walks onto one of our campuses. Broadening the ‘Bring Your Own Backpack’ event into an organization-wide initiative allows us to pool our resources, align our passionate ground teams, and make a tangible difference in the neighborhoods we call home. There is nothing more exciting than watching our campuses buzz with energy as we help local children step into their school year feeling supported, prepared, and confident. This initiative is the heartbeat of who we are: a community-first organization dedicated to breaking down barriers to success,” said John Barnes, Ancora President & CEO.
Find the campus details, as well as links to pre-register for each event in the links below.
BYOB Schedules & Locations
1. Miller-Motte College (MMC) Campuses
Friday, July 24th | 4PM – 6PM
Locations: Augusta, GA; Columbus, GA; Fayetteville, NC; Jacksonville, NC; Raleigh, NC; Tulsa, OK; and Chattanooga, TN.
2. South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT) Campuses
Friday, July 24th
Locations:
- Arlington, TX: 11AM – 1PM
- Brownsville, Corpus Christi, McAllen, San Antonio, and Weslaco, TX: 4PM – 7PM
3. Arizona Automotive Institute (AAI)
Saturday, July 25th | 9AM – 11AM
Glendale, AZ
4. Berks Technical Institute (BTI) Campuses
Thursday, August 13th | 3PM – 6PM
Locations: Allentown, PA; Lewisburg, PA; and Wyomissing, PA
About Ancora®
Ancora, a proud member of the Lindenwood Education System, is a leading workforce solutions provider addressing America’s labor gaps through innovative and technology-driven educational programs. Ancora operates in four divisions: Ancora Academy®, Ancora Education®, Ancora High School®, and Ancora Training®. Ancora Academy offers online courses for personal or professional development to individual learners. Ancora High School, accredited by Cognia®, provides adult learners the opportunity to complete a high school diploma in a highly flexible, self-paced, completely online format. Ancora Education offers technical education training programs specializing in healthcare, IT, business, transportation, and skilled trades through five private, post-secondary brands with 18 campus locations across the nation. Brands include: Arizona Automotive Institute® (AAI), Berks Technical Institute® (BTI), Miller-Motte® College (MMC), Miller-Motte Driving Institute® (MMDI), and South Texas Vocational Technical Institute™ (STVT®). Ancora Training offers workforce solutions, like CDL and other customizable training solutions, for corporate, community college, and government agency partners. Accelerate your goals at ancora.com.