Niagara, ON, July 26, 2022 – With over 15,000 children living in poverty in Niagara, many families in our community struggle to decide between food, rent or household essentials to spend what little money they have on. United Way Niagara recognizes that often times the vital school supplies that every child needs to succeed and feel a sense of belonging in the classroom can be the essentials that some families struggle to afford. With the Backpacks for Kids initiative, local children and youth from low-income households can receive a backpack with important school supplies to help them have a successful school year this fall.

“We are seeing the toll that inflation and cost of living is taking on the average consumer, so just imagine what that means for families living on the poverty line,” said Frances Hallworth, CEO United Way Niagara. “Backpacks for kids can help ease the financial burden on families while also allowing kids to be all they can be.”

This year, our goal is to fill over 2,100 backpacks with school supplies such as pencils, markers, erasers, pencil crayons and highlighters. Monetary donations are welcomed towards this initiative. It takes only a $25 donation to buy one child a backpack, as we work closely with suppliers to maximize donor impact. For more information, visit the Backpacks for Kids page on our website.