BEST Got Your Back Pack

Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST)

The program provides backpacks filled with essential items such as toiletries, socks, and bath towels to backstretch workers arriving in mid-April to Saratoga Race Course. Although there are over 1100 workers living on-property at the height of the season, the program is limited to 500 backpacks.

Here’s how it works: each backpack has a set cost to cover the items inside, and donors can sponsor one or multiple backpacks. For example, if sponsoring one backpack costs $65, a donor who sponsors three backpacks for a total of $195 would help provide three complete backpacks to workers in need.

I noticed that Hoffman's previously offered a free car wash in exchange for a donation of non-perishable food items, and I was wondering if we could do something similar for this program. For each backpack sponsored, Hoffman's could offer a free car wash to the donor. This would provide a fun incentive for donors while directly supporting backstretch workers as they begin their 2026 Saratoga Season.

I would love the opportunity to discuss this further and explore how we can make this partnership a success.

Thank you so much for considering this idea!

About Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST): BEST is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the health and well-being of the dedicated workers in the barn areas, or 'backstretch,' at Saratoga, Aqueduct, Belmont racetracks. We provide on-site primary healthcare, mental health support, substance use disorder services, and educational programs, all designed to meet the unique needs of the backstretch workers.

Want to order physical vouchers? Print out an order form.