The United Way Northumberland is helping local children get ready for the new school year through its annual Backpacks for Kids program.
Distribution was underway Thursday at the Cobourg Lions Community Centre, with families who registered in advance picking up backpacks while community organizations collected larger quantities for the people they serve.
United Way United Way Communications and Fundraising Coordinator April Day says the program is responding to a significant increase in demand this year.
A total of 850 backpacks are being distributed this year. The program works with organizations throughout Northumberland, including groups serving rural communities, to help get the backpacks to children and families who need them.
The New Canadian Centre is among the organizations receiving backpacks. Youth and Family Programs Manager Jess Devlin says the program is particularly valuable for newcomer families.
Northumberland County Community and Social Services has been involved with the program for many years. Early Years Manager Lesley Patterson says the county supports the initiative through funding, volunteer hours, promotion and by providing pickup locations through EarlyON Child and Family Centres.
For Day, the program is about more than putting school supplies into a child’s hands. She says the distribution provides an opportunity to connect families with other community supports, including food, clothing and hygiene resources.
And she says the importance of the program can be seen in the families who rely on it.
Day recalls a child she encountered years ago who arrived at school with only a bag of chips and a can of pop for lunch. That experience has stayed with her and helped shape this year’s program.
The United Way says the Backpacks for Kids initiative is intended to help local families facing financial challenges while ensuring children can begin the school year with some of the supplies and food they need.
