The Second-Annual Burreaux’s Back-to-School Kickoff Sets Students up for Success

• What: The second-annual Burreaux’s Back-to-School Kickoff provided essential school-related supplies, services, and support to local K–12 students.
• When & Where: Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Elite Training Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• Community Impact: An estimated 2,000 attendees received giveaways, interacted with community partners, and participated in fun, football-themed activities.

On August 4, 2026, The Joe Burrow Foundation’s second-annual Burreaux’s Back-to-School Kickoff empowered students to confidently start the upcoming school year by handing out school-related supplies, offering resources and support from community partners, and providing fun football-themed activities for kids and adults alike.

Hosted at the Elite Training Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this year’s Kickoff drew an impressive turnout of nearly 2,000 attendees from East Baton Rouge Parish—approximately 500 more attendees than last year’s event—with a long line wrapping around the facility as families waited eagerly to enter.

Providing Essential Supplies, Services, and Support

The festive event, aimed at removing educational barriers, provided:

• School-Related Supplies: The Joe Burrow Foundation distributed 1,100 clear backpacks, while community partners handed out much needed items such as notebooks, pencils, crayons, hand sanitizer, tissues, and water bottles. Remaining supplies will be donated to area schools.
• Community Services: Attendees received free haircuts from Baton Rouge-based Line 4 Line, enjoyed refreshments from Kona Ice, and interacted with community non-profits and businesses including Girl Scouts of Louisiana, the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, among others.
• Engaging Activities: Football drills, tackle dummies, and a bounce house set up on the 60-yard indoor field kept attendees of all ages entertained.

Outfitted in matching LSU Joe “Burreaux” jerseys, Robin Burrow, Joe’s Burrow’s mother and secretary and treasurer of The Joe Burrow Foundation, and her husband, Jimmy, interacted with the crowd, acknowledging the impressive turnout and the lasting impact the event would have on youth in the community.

“I remember kids walking into my classroom—they didn’t have backpacks, their clothes were too little, and they didn’t have new shoes for school—and other children came in all fresh and glittery,” noted Robin, a retired elementary school teacher and principal. “That’s hard for them.”

Investing in Our Youth

The event demonstrates The Joe Burrow Foundation’s core mission and continuing effort to support underrepresented and underserved communities. More than just a school-supply distribution event, Burreaux’s Back-to-School Kickoff served as a community-wide investment in the academic success of Baton Rouge youth.

We are grateful to the partners, volunteers, and supporters who continue to make this event possible and are committed to helping support local families in need.