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Annual Backpack Program encourages community to help local children and youth
United Way collecting donations of backpacks, school supplies and funds to set students up for success

KINGSTON, ON (July 4, 2024) – With the latest school year in the books, it is never too early to think about supporting students for the upcoming school year. Going back to school comes with lots of excitement and anticipation; it can also be an anxious and stressful time for many families on low-income as they do their best to set their children up for success.

The Backpack Program is coordinated through the United Way KFL&A, with donations from individuals, community businesses and organizations. The program distributes backpacks and school supplies to ensure that families and children have all they need for a successful school year.

In 2023, thanks to the community’s generosity and support, 1,100 children and youth started the school year with supplies and backpacks.

“We are so thankful to United Way and our community for the backpacks filled with school supplies for children headed back to school,” said a representative from Kingston Interval House. “We immediately handed them out and one mom was very teary-eyed when getting hers and so grateful.”

It is estimated that for basic supplies (a backpack, lunch bag, binders, pens, pencils, and a calculator), the cost per student ranges from $200 to $300 for school supplies. With rising costs and inflation, the need for support is expected to be high again this year.

“Costs are high, and we know that many individuals and families in KFL&A are struggling to make ends meet,” said John DiPaolo, President and CEO, United Way KFL&A. “We are asking our community to support each other and help children and youth. It may be as simple as picking up a few extra items when you do your own shopping or making a monetary donation. However you choose to give, you will be helping children and families start the school year off right.”

Once supplies are collected, volunteers will start packing backpacks mid-August for distribution through agencies and schools before the new school year begins.

The most needed school supplies include backpacks, lunch bags, scientific calculators, math sets, pens, pencils, rulers, markers, crayons, and pencil cases. Gender-neutral colours are encouraged wherever possible.

For a full list of recommended items by age group, or to donate monetarily, community members can visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca/backpackprogram.

Items can be dropped off at:
United Way office – 417 Bagot Street
Monday to Friday from 8:30am -4:30pm
until August 16, 2024

About The Backpack Program
The program has been running for twenty-two years in KFL&A.  Initially set up by the Social Issues Networking Group (SING) with support from the United Way KFL&A and other organizations, the program worked for 19 years to ensure that families and children received backpacks and school supplies.

In 2020, with pandemic restrictions in place, United Way KFL&A took on the Backpack Program, collecting supplies from community members, workplaces, and businesses and distributed these through schools and agencies. More than 1,100 backpacks were distributed in 2023.

About United Way KFL&A
United Way Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington works closely with community partners to ensure that people have the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging. This vision is realized by building on deep-rooted local community knowledge and relationships to empower people to make an impact. 

The United Way raises funds for programs that support immediate needs while also tackling complex social issues collaboratively. Led by volunteers, driven by a small professional staff team, the United Way KFL&A is a unifying force, encouraging people to get involved to support our most vulnerable.

Thanks to the continued generous support of the community, United Way KFL&A is proud to rank third among United Ways across Canada in dollars raised related to the size of our market.

Stay up to date by following their social media channels – Facebook, X, and LinkedIn or visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca

Media Contact:

Mandy Pasch, Director, Marketing and Communications
United Way KFL&A
613-876-3088, marketing@unitedwaykfla.ca

 

 

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United Way of KFL&A would like to acknowledge this traditional territory’s longer existence and its significance for the Indigenous people who lived and continue to live on Turtle Island.

We are situated on traditional Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat land. There are Métis and other non-status First People from many Indigenous Nations present in our community today. This acknowledgement symbolizes the United Way KFL&A’s first step, of many, along this path toward Indigenous reconciliation, in a respectful manner.

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