Backpack Giveback Helps Support Carrie’s Kids

What started with backpacks and school supplies became an opportunity to support something much bigger.

This season, the Bismarck Larks and Knife River teamed up for the Backpack Giveback, encouraging Larks fans to help local kids head back to school with the supplies they need. Through the program, fans helped provide 150 backpacks and nearly $200 in additional donations to Carrie’s Kids.

Fans were encouraged to bring three school supply items or make a $15 donation at the ballpark. In return, they received a Larks and Knife River bento box as a thank-you for helping make a difference.

But the impact of the Backpack Giveback goes far beyond what fits inside a backpack.

More Than School Supplies

All donations benefited Carrie’s Kids, a Bismarck nonprofit that works with children and teens who are homeless or at risk in the Bismarck-Mandan community.

Carrie and her team provide more than physical necessities. Through mentorship, programs, activities and trusted relationships, Carrie’s Kids works to give young people a safe place where they can receive support, develop life and social skills and build meaningful connections.

For Knife River Representative Allen Wilson, learning more about the organization changed the way he viewed the partnership.

“At first I thought we were just helping to give kids backpacks or clothes,” Wilson said. “But Carrie’s a mentor. She has a lot of kids that can be problematic or have issues at home or in their social life, and she’s helping a lot of people that may otherwise be flying under the radar.”

Carrie emphasized that helping kids can start with something as simple as being present and willing to listen.

“When you’re at home, talk to your kids,” Carrie said. “Bring them to the table, have good, quality conversations. We have a big population of people that are hurting and lonely, and it trickles down to the kids.”

Building Stronger Communities Together

Supporting youth and strengthening communities is something the Larks and Knife River share a commitment to.

“Knife River has a focus on connecting communities by way of the people,” Wilson said. “This place offers kids who might not have anywhere else to go a safe space, and that’s huge.”

The Backpack Giveback gave Larks fans another way to turn a trip to the ballpark into an opportunity to give back. Every school supply donated, backpack filled and dollar contributed helped Carrie’s Kids continue supporting young people in the Bismarck-Mandan community.

The Bismarck Larks and Knife River are proud to support Carrie’s Kids and grateful to every fan who helped make this year’s Backpack Giveback possible.

See the Impact

Want to see more of the ways the Larks and our partners made a difference throughout the community this season? Explore the 2026 Bismarck Larks Impact Report for a closer look at community giving, youth sports, nonprofit support and more.

You can also learn more about Carrie’s Kids and the work they are doing to provide mentorship, support and positive experiences for local youth.

“At first I thought we were just helping to give kids backpacks or clothes,” said Knife River Representative Allen Wilson. “But Carrie’s a mentor. She has a lot of kids that can be problematic or have issues at home or in their social life, and she’s helping a lot of people that may otherwise be flying under the radar.”

“When you’re at home, talk to your kids,” said Carrie. “Bring them to the table, have good, quality conversations. We have a big population of people that are hurting and lonely, and it trickles down to the kids.”

The Bismarck Larks and Knife River are proud to provide support to Carrie’s Kids, and look forward to seeing the organization continue to help those in the community who are in need.

“Knife River has a focus on connecting communities by way of the people,” said Allen. “This place offers kids who might not have anywhere else to go a safe space, and that’s huge.”