BACKPACKS FOR KIDS
What is Backpacks for Kids?
This program provides children and youth from low-income households with the needed items for a successful school year.
Distributed through schools and community agencies, Backpacks for Kids provide kids and teens the opportunity to share the common experience of their peers – one of excitement for the new school year – while alleviating the financial burden for families.
Together, we have distributed 52,500 backpacks and kits since 2002.
Every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed
This program is run separately from United Way’s annual campaign and as such, donations are vital to supporting the ongoing requests for backpacks. Each year we distribute more than 2,400 full backpacks across Niagara through elementary and secondary schools as well as agencies.
Thanks to strong partnerships and volume discounts, we are able to purchase supplies in bulk at a lower cost. Our backpacks have an approximate retail value of $75 but the cost to United Way is just $15 per fully stocked bag.
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Supplies Included:
- Backpack
- Lunch Bag
- Water Bottle
Calculator
- Pencils
Pens
- Pencil Crayons
- Eraser
- Pencil Case
- Pencil Sharpener
We know that better is possible. With your help we can ensure kids have everything they need to succeed.
How to get involved
Sponsor your own packing party. Have you and your coworkers or a group of friends get together to help pack all of the supplies into backpacks or pencil cases. We always need packages ready to give to children in the community. The program typically runs once per year in the summer months. Contact [email protected] to learn more about how a packing party works.
2024 Backpacks For Kids Sponsors
Program Testimonials
“Backpacks for Kids is more than merely giving a child a bag of school supplies. It’s a bag packed with compassion, hope, and a world of possibilities.”
“Thanks to Backpacks for Kids, I was able to give my daughter everything she needs for school. It was a huge relief for me and family. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you guys.”