United Way Northumberland has officially launched its 2026 Backpacks for Kids campaign, marking the program’s 21st year of helping local students head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.
The annual initiative provides new backpacks and essential school supplies for children and youth from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 whose families are experiencing financial hardship.
Applications are now open for families and caregivers across Northumberland, as well as for community organizations applying on behalf of the people they support.
This year’s campaign aims to fill 850 backpacks with supplies ranging from crayons and pencils to binders, scientific calculators and backpacks.
To support that goal, 13 businesses and community organizations are hosting donation drives at 14 locations across Northumberland, including collection sites in Port Hope, Cobourg, Grafton and Brighton.
United Way is also inviting businesses to become industry sponsors by making financial contributions to help purchase school supplies.
Executive Director Alicia Vandine says the program helps ensure children begin the school year with confidence.
“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. 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,” Vandine said.
Families wishing to apply for assistance, organizations applying on behalf of clients, and community members looking to donate school supplies or support the campaign financially can find more information on the United Way Northumberland website.
A separate community school supply collection event is also planned later this month in Port Hope.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
