Product of the Project

08/24/2026

📊 Our Impact. Our Community. Our Commitment.

We’re proud to officially release our new Product of the Project (POP) Community Impact Report!

This report is more than numbers. It represents the young people who showed up, the families who trusted us, the community partners who invested in our mission, and the countless individuals who helped us continue building something meaningful in our community.

Over the past year, POP has continued to grow our reach through youth development, mentorship, education, community outreach, family support, college exposure, workforce readiness, and some of our largest community initiatives.

We are incredibly grateful to every sponsor, partner, volunteer, board member, school, organization, and supporter who has played a role in this work. None of this impact happens alone.

We invite you to take a look at our new Community Impact Report and see what we have been able to accomplish together.

And we’re just getting started.

Product of the Project (POP)

Empowering People. Strengthening Communities.

Creating Opportunities.

08/20/2026

A full-circle moment for POP. 💙

We want to send a huge THANK YOU to Sherman’s for continuing to believe in Product of the Project and the work we’re doing in our community.

Our relationship with Sherman’s goes back beyond a sponsorship or donation. POP’s CEO, Antwaun Banks, spent years as part of the Sherman’s team before taking a leap of faith in 2022 to pursue POP full time. To have Sherman’s continue to stand behind the mission years later means more than we can put into words.

This $1,000 Community Giveaway award will directly help to support our 3rd Annual POP College Tour, helping us cover transportation, meals, lodging, and other expenses so that finances don’t prevent a student from having this experience.

We’re grateful for businesses like Sherman’s that don’t just operate in the community — they invest in it.

Thank you to the entire Sherman’s team for continuing to support Antwaun, our students, our families, and the mission of POP. We appreciate you! 🙏🏾💙

This week’s award is pretty special for us! ✨

In 2022, one of our employees, Antwaun B., left his role as our Director of Operations to take his passion project, Product of the Project, full time! 🤩👇

Serving young people across Central Illinois through a wide range of resources, POP focuses on character development, mentorship, community responsibility, and supporting family systems. By breaking cycles, they create opportunities for lasting change that empower individuals and strengthen our community.

✅ With Antwaun's leadership and vision, POP’s initiatives continue to grow! They’re reaching more families than ever through their Back-2-School celebration event, student scholarship funds, a community pantry, and more.

Right now, they're also gearing up for their 3rd annual POP College Tour, giving students the chance to visit campuses, explore career paths, and see what's possible for their future. 🎓

"This $1,000 Sherman’s award helps remove financial barriers of the tour by covering transportation, meals, and lodging, allowing us to create life-changing moments that inspire students to dream bigger and set higher goals," Antwaun B., CEO shared. “Sometimes all it takes is one experience to change the trajectory of a young person’s life, and that’s exactly what the College Tour is designed to do.”

🥳 We’re thrilled to be cheering on and supporting POP as their programs and mentors help kids build character, community, and confidence. Congratulations to the entire team on this award!

08/06/2026

❤️ Thank You, POP Community Pantry Volunteers! ❤️

At Product of the Project, we know that serving our community starts with people who are willing to give their time, compassion, and heart. To every volunteer who continues to support our POP Community Pantry, thank you.

Because of your dedication, families in our community have access to nutritious food, encouragement, and hope each week. Whether you’re unloading donations, stocking shelves, greeting families with a smile, or helping distribute food, your service makes a meaningful difference in the lives of so many.

Your willingness to serve reminds us that community is built through kindness, teamwork, and a shared commitment to helping one another. We couldn’t do this work without you.

Thank you for being the hands and feet of our mission and for helping us continue to remove barriers and create opportunities for those who need it most.

Please join us in showing some love and appreciation to our amazing POP Community Pantry volunteers! 💙👏

08/05/2026

📚🎒 Wishing All Peoria Public Schools Students an Incredible School Year! 🎒📚

As a new school year begins, all of us at Product of the Project (POP) want to wish every Peoria Public Schools student a year filled with learning, growth, new friendships, and success.

Remember:
✨ Believe in yourself.
📖 Never stop learning.
💪 Keep pushing through challenges.
🌟 Dream big, because your future starts today.

To the amazing teachers, staff, administrators, and families, thank you for the countless ways you encourage and support our students every day. Your dedication helps shape the next generation of leaders.

Here’s to a safe, successful, and unforgettable 2026–2027 school year. We can’t wait to see all that you’ll accomplish!

💛🖤 Have a great year, Peoria Public Schools! We’ve got your back every step of the way.

07/30/2026

🎉🎂 Happy Birthday to the DIGIMCoach, Marc “Supreme” Hamilton! 🎂🎉

Today we celebrate an incredible leader, mentor, and champion for our youth Neiman Marcus !!

Your passion for empowering the next generation through DIGIM continues to inspire everyone around you. Whether you’re coaching, mentoring, encouraging, or simply showing up for young people, your impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to helping students dream bigger, believe in themselves, and pursue their purpose.

From your POP family, we wish you a birthday filled with joy, love, laughter, and countless blessings. We are grateful to have you as part of this journey and can’t wait to see all that God has in store for you in this next year.

May God continue to bless you along your journey!

07/29/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our 2026 Product of the Project (POP) DeAndre Foote Scholarship Recipients, Josh Humbles and BriAnna Johnson! 🎓💙

Although Josh and BriAnna were unable to attend our POP Back2School Celebration to receive their scholarships, that wasn’t going to stop us from celebrating their accomplishments.

The POP Team pulled up to personally congratulate each recipient, present them with their scholarship check, and gift them a copy of the DIGIMCoach book as they prepare for this next chapter of their journey.

The following day, we had the opportunity to connect with them again, celebrating their achievements and encouraging them as they pursue their future goals.

The DeAndre Foote Scholarship was created to honor the life and legacy of DeAndre Foote by investing in students who demonstrate leadership, perseverance, community involvement, and a commitment to making a positive impact.

Josh and BriAnna, we are incredibly proud of all you have accomplished and can’t wait to see the amazing things you will achieve. Continue to dream big, work hard, and never forget that your community is behind you every step of the way.

Congratulations once again! Your future is bright! 💙🎉

07/26/2026

POP Back2School Celebration 26 🫡

The event provided nearly 2,000 backpacks and 1,100 school uniforms, along with free sports physicals, haircuts, food and a variety of services designed to support students and their families before classes begin. Details in the comments.

07/24/2026

🎒📚 Tomorrow is the Day! 🎉

The wait is finally over! Tomorrow we will host our Annual POP Back2School Celebration, and we can’t wait to welcome families from across our community for a day of fun, resources, and preparation for an amazing school year!

Join us for:
🎒 Free backpacks & school supplies
👕 School uniforms
💇 Free haircuts & hairstyles
🩺 School & sports physicals
🍔 Food & refreshments
🎶 Music, community resources, and family fun
🤝 A chance to connect with organizations committed to helping our youth succeed

This event is more than just giving away supplies—it’s about making sure every child starts the school year with confidence, support, and hope.

📍 Location: 817 W. Armstrong
🗓️ Tomorrow
⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

A huge thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and everyone who has helped make this event possible.

Your support continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of local families.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Let’s make it another unforgettable day for our community! ❤️💙

07/23/2026

🎓 Thank You to Our DeAndre Foote Scholarship Applicants! 🎓

On behalf of Product of the Project (POP), thank you to every student who applied for the DeAndre Foote Scholarship. We are incredibly proud of each of you for taking the time to share your story, your goals, and your commitment to your future.

Applying for a scholarship takes courage, dedication, and hard work, and every application reflected the incredible potential of our young people.

We are excited to announce that this year’s scholarship recipient(s) will be recognized during the POP Back2School Celebration! We look forward to celebrating their achievements alongside our community as we continue investing in the next generation of leaders.

Thank you again to all who applied, and congratulations in advance to our recipient(s). Your future is bright, and we’re honored to be a small part of your journey.

07/14/2026

It’s ALMOST that time POP BACK2SCHOOL Celebration!!

TEXT POPBACKTOSCHOOL to 53555 to Donate!!!