EASE Logistics Helps NBC4 Fill 10,000 Backpacks for Central Ohio Students

– 100 Volunteers and Four EASE Truckloads Support NBC4's Stuff the Backpack Campaign –

DUBLIN, Ohio, Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EASE Logistics (EASE), a Columbus-based logistics provider, helped NBC4 fill 27,000 backpacks for Central Ohio students during the station's annual Stuff the Backpack campaign, at Nationwide Arena and EASE Logistics. For the sixth year, EASE has donated warehouse space and a delivery fleet to store, pack and transport the donated school supplies, ensuring thousands of local students start the school year prepared.

EASE is one of the campaign's official partners, alongside the United Way of Central Ohio and Volunteers of America/Operation Backpack. Now in its ninth year, NBC4 organizes the campaign with the United Way of Central Ohio serving as fiscal sponsor. This year, EASE used 6,000 square feet of warehouse space for storage and packing, then delivered stuffed bags and supplies to the campaign with four EASE truckloads.

“Every backpack that leaves our warehouse represents a student walking into the first day of school prepared for success. Our team brings the same care and commitment to every backpack as we do to every load, because delivering it complete and on time means giving a student the confidence to start the school year strong,” said Stacie Melody, Director of Brand and Enablement.

Stuff the Backpack has grown into one of Central Ohio's largest school supply drives, drawing donations from families and businesses. Since 2018, the campaign has equipped more than 240,000 Central Ohio students with backpacks and supplies, and all donations are tax deductible through the United Way of Central Ohio, the campaign's fiscal sponsor.

Much of EASE's part of the campaign happens before and after the public stuffing event. EASE stores and distributes the supplies before the stuffing event, collects 10,000 backpacks from other packing sites, serves as the local pickup for schools, and makes multiple deliveries to the largest school in the city. On the day of the stuffing event EASE hosts approximately 100 volunteers from both EASE and other partners to sort, pack, and stage 10,000 bags.

“Warehousing and trucking aren't the first things people think of when they think about a school supply drive, but they're the reason 27,000 backpacks actually reach 27,000 kids. We’re proud to put what we do best to work for a purpose that reaches far beyond the warehouse,” said Peter Coratola EASE Logistics.

This year's campaign drew donation-partner support from Amazon and CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service, a division of the American Chemical Society), joining Amgen alongside NBC4 and the United Way of Central Ohio. More than 100 volunteers from EASE, Amazon, CAS and Amgen worked the drive together, sorting and packing supplies for delivery. EASE said it plans to keep its warehouse space and trucks available to Stuff the Backpack as the campaign continues in future years. To learn more about EASE Logistics' community involvement, visit easelogistics.com/philanthropy.

About EASE Logistics

EASE Logistics is one of the largest privately held logistics companies in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 2014 by Peter Coratola Jr., EASE has grown into a nationally recognized logistics provider known for its innovation, service and proprietary technology. The company is an eight-time Inc. 5000 honoree and was named the No. 1 transportation company on Fortune's 2023 list of America's Most Innovative Companies. For more information, visit www.easelogistics.com.

Media Contact:
Makayla Cruz-Vazquez
PR Account Coordinator, LeadCoverage
makayla@leadcoverage.com