By Kate Legakis

Backpacks for Kids by the Northumberland United Way is helping over 1000 families in Northumberland reduce back-to-school financial stress.

On Wednesday, the Northumberland United Way hosted backpack stuffing for their annual Backpacks for Kids program at the Cobourg Lions Community Centre. 

The Backpacks for Kids program aims to supply families in need in Northumberland with back-to-school essentials free of charge.

The program started in 2005 by the Northumberland United Way and has grown hugely since then, Maggie Darling, the Acting Executive Director of the United Way, said. 

When it began, 100 backpacks were stuffed and distributed. In 2022, over 1,000 backpacks were stuffed and given to students from kindergarten to Grade 12 in Northumberland. 

Darling said this growth speaks to the annual need in Northumberland for this program. A group of local sponsors allowed Northumberland United Way to meet all requests for backpacks this year. 

These requests can be made through Big Brothers and Big Sisters, EarlyOn Centres, or directly contacting Northumberland United Way, said Darling.

 

There is no governmental aid associated with Backpacks for Kids. The funding for this program is entirely through sponsorships, donors, and United Way funding. Darling said that this program cost between $15,000 and $20,000 to run in 2022. 

Over the two previous years, only five staff members could stuff backpacks due to COVID-19 restrictions. The need in the community did not lessen, however, said Darling. In fact, the challenges of the pandemic, as well as inflation and rising living costs, make the Backpacks for Kids program increasingly important.

Darling said this is the first year since the beginning of the pandemic that the program returned to normalcy, with about 20 volunteers and 8 local organizations involved in the program.

Lisa Smith, from Northumberland County Community and Social Services, said this program is significant.

 “This cause is important because everybody needs a backpack to return to school. It’s wonderful to help families who may need the additional support.”

Yvonne O’Neil, a local first-time volunteer, said this program helps kids feel like everyone else on the first day.

 “I think that every kid should show up at school on the first day just like every other kid.”

Hemali Chudasama, another volunteer, said helping stuff backpacks is a great feeling.

“If anyone wants to come do this next year, it’s fun. It’s such a good cause.”

The Northumberland United Way has a huge resource of volunteers, four paid staff members, and a part-time summer student who all assist in the community work the organization does, said Darling.

The Northumberland United Way is the largest non-governmental funder in the community. Social service organizations in the community can apply for monthly funding and one-time grants, said Darling.