Let the Backpacks for Kids drive begin

Backpacks for Kids 2025. By Dan Jones, CFWN, LJI

By Cecilia Nasmith

School may have just let out, but this fall's Backpacks for Kids drive is kicking off – on several fronts.

Now in its 21st year, the United Way Northumberland program has ensured that thousands of children across Northumberland County go back to school (from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12) with new essential school supplies to make the most of their school year.

As more families across the county struggle, organizers are reaching out to the community on a number of fronts.

First, families and caregivers who are experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to apply for this program. If your family is regularly accessing a food bank, if the children or youth residing with you do not have access to new school supplies, please check out the applications at www.mynuw.org/backpacksforkids

Applications are also being accepted from nonprofits, charities and organizations that support financially struggling families on behalf of the client they serve. Registrations are required before Aug. 7.

This year, 13 businesses and community groups across 14 Northumberland locations have stepped up to host donation drives to help United Way fill some 850 backpacks with everything a student may need – crayons, markers, pencils, binders, scientific calculators, even the actual backpacks.

In Port Hope, donation drives are hosted at:

Port Hope Police Services (55 Fox Rd.)

Port Hope Chrysler (152 Peter St.)

Port Hope Hyundai (50 Benson Court)

Port Hope Volkswagen (55 Benson Court)

Roseglen Retirement Community Residence (63 Wellington St.)

The Arcadis Port Hope field office

Ganaraska Financial Credit Union (17 Queen St.)

Cobourg drives are being held at:

Ganaraska Financial Credit Union (57 Albert St.)

Core Molding Technologies (3 West St.)

Squishy Goose Play Centre (9 Elgin St. E., Unit 6E)

Rosewood Estates Retirement Community (255 Densmore Rd.)

Community Living and Respite Northumberland (275 Cottesmore Ave.)

As well, drives are being hosted at St. Andrew's United Church (137 Old Danforth Rd., Grafton) and the Brighton Public Library (35 Alice St.).

Donations will be accepted at these locations through July 31.

As these community partners rally to the cause, organizers are also hoping industry sponsors may want to make a direct financial investment in the program to help with the cost of supplies. If your business can help, contact United Way at office@nuw.unitedway.ca

And for the second year in a row, Port Hope mom, local cheerleader and mortgage agent Sarah Turck (of Sherwood Park Mortgage) is mounting her own Backpacks for Kids donation drive.

On Saturday, July 25, she will be set up in the parking lot near Dollarama in Port Hope to collect school supplies and accept donations for this program. Last year, Sarah and supporters stuffed her Ram truck full of supplies. This year she's back, with support from K9ine Security, Thompson Motorsports and Tim Hortons Port Hope.

This is what community looks like, United Way Executive Director Alicia Vandine said in the announcement.

“Children notice when they don't have the same school supplies their classmates have. That moment of shame is something no child should carry into a classroom,” Vandine said.

“Backpacks for Kids is about making sure every child in Northumberland walks through that school door in September feeling ready and confident with the tools they need to succeed.

“I'm very proud of how our community shows up to support children and youth across the county with this program.”