Northumberland United Way has partnered with local police forces this year in order to address the growing need for its Backpacks for Kids program. 

The Stuff the Bus campaign aims to collect 2,000 backpacks, double what the initial goal was last year.

Launched in 2005 when 100 backpacks were distributed, more than 20,000 backpacks have been filled with essential school supplies for children in need, but that need is growing every year.

Acting Executive Director Maggie Darling said the goal last year was to collect and fill 1,000 backpacks, but a number of late requests led to a waitlist for the time in the program’s history and a further call for help to the community. 

“Thankfully with the community support we received, we were able to ensure that every child received a backpack that was on that waitlist, so we distributed over 1,500 last year,” Darling said. “Recognizing the significant increase we saw last year, we’re hoping that 2,000 backpacks will help to anticipate any increases as well.” 

Darling said the Stuff the Bus campaign stemmed from a partnership last year with the Cobourg Police Service, which made a donation to the program. This year the Port Hope Police Service and Northumberland OPP are also on board.

Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf stated in a release that “a backpack and a few quality school supplies can help set children up for success at school. The Backpacks for Kids program helps reduce stigma and increases confidence so a young student can focus on learning.”

Darling said the program addresses the reality that not everyone can afford necessary school supplies.

“We’ve had some comments from parents before ‘I only have so much money’ and it was between a new pair of shoes or a backpack so if we’re able to fill that for individuals and families in our community then that’s a great opportunity for us to fill that gap.”

Monetary donations are also accepted on the Northumberland United Way’s website, where you can also find a list of the supplies that fill the backpacks for ages kindergarten through Grade 12. 

Backpack donations are now being accepted until Aug. 8 at the Northumberland United Way office, Cobourg and Port Hope police stations, Northumberland OPP detachments in Cobourg, Brighton and Campbellford, Staples Cobourg and Ganaraska Financial Credit Union branches in Cobourg and Port Hope.