Caitlin Clark surprises Iowa school students with visit, donates supplies

When 350 Des Moines-area students and families went to North High School (Des Moines, Iowa) on Friday to pick up Nike backpacks full of school supplies donated by the Caitlin Clark Foundation, they didn’t expect the star WNBA player to meet them in person.

But there she stood in the gymnasium, waiting to pass out supplies, meet the kids, and shoot some hoops.

Caitlin Clark Foundation President Mary Coffin said the Des Moines Register Clark’s attendance was kept “very, very secret” because the organization wasn’t sure if she could attend.

“We didn’t want to disappoint anybody,” Coffin said to the outlet. “But Caitlin was there. She interacted with the kids and she shot some basketballs with them. She loves it, she loves to be a part of it. It’s really her passion.”

WHO Des Moines reporter Keith Murphy posted a video of Clark meeting a student and taking a selfie:

Caitlin Clark surprises 350 Des Moines Public Schools kids with Nike backpacks full of school supplies.

All made possible by the Caitlin Clark Foundation.

So cool to see kids this excited.

⁦@WHO13news⁩ ⁦@SoundOFF13⁩ pic.twitter.com/kQTFlAtomu

— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) August 2, 2024

According to its website, the Caitlin Clark Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of youth and their communities through education, nutrition, and sports.

Its initiatives include campaigns for the Coralville Community Food Pantry, donations of winter clothing and sports equipment to the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa, and a partnership with Hy-Vee grocer.