A Successful Backpack Program Wrap-Up

As the school year ends and summer begins, many families are looking forward to a well-deserved break. But for some, the start of a new school year brings added stress, especially when it comes to affording basic school supplies.

At Links2Care, we’re already thinking ahead. Through our Backpack Program, we help ensure that students in Halton Hills can start the school year with the tools they need, and the confidence they deserve. Because walking into a classroom prepared isn’t just about having supplies; it’s about feeling included, supported, and ready to learn.

A Growing Need in Our Community

Each year, we see just how meaningful this program is.

Last year, we supported 251 students with backpacks filled with essential supplies, helping ease the burden for families and giving young people a strong, confident start to their school year.

This year, the need has grown.

More families in our community are reaching out for support, and we want to be there for every student who needs us. Our goal is to provide 300 backpacks to local students, from JK to Grade 12, so no child has to start school without the basics.

Families who may be eligible are encouraged to apply by August 14: Backpack Program – Apply Here

Powered by Community

This program is truly a community effort. Local corporate groups continue to show incredible support; organizing supply drives, making financial contributions, and rallying their teams to give back.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of volunteers forms the backbone of this program. From sorting donations to packing backpacks with care, their time and commitment make a real difference for every student we serve.

What We Need Most Right Now

To meet this year’s goal, we’re collecting new school supplies and some items are especially needed (please see image for most needed items).

Gift cards and financial donations are also incredibly helpful, allowing us to purchase age-appropriate supplies based on each student’s needs.

How You Can Help

Starting early makes a real difference.

Your support today helps ensure backpacks are ready before the first day of school, so students can walk into the classroom feeling confident and prepared.

Here’s how you can help:

Donate online or in person
Drop off new school supplies or backpacks
Contribute gift cards or make a financial donation

You can also join us at our “Fill the Bus” event at Georgetown Marketplace starting July 20, a great way to come together as a community and make an impact.

Be Part of a Student’s First Day

A backpack may seem simple, but for a child, it represents so much more; a fresh start, a sense of confidence, and the feeling that they belong.

Together, we can make sure every student starts the school year on the right foot.

👉 Learn more or donate here:
Backpack Program – Links2Care

Updates

Thank You for Helping Us Spread the Word

We are grateful to our community partners and local media for helping raise awareness about the Backpack Program and the increasing need for school supplies in Halton Hills.

A special thank you to Halton Hills Today for highlighting our efforts to ensure local students head back to school prepared and confident.

📰 Read the article: Links2Care collecting backpacks and supplies for Halton Hills students in need

Backpack Program Featured on YourTV Halton

We are excited to share that our Backpack Program was recently featured on YourTV Halton. Links2Care CEO Lisa Brading spoke with Halton News about the growing need for school supplies and backpacks in our community and how the Backpack Program is helping local students start the school year strong.

This coverage helps raise awareness of the challenges many families face and encourages community support for local students. We are grateful to YourTV Halton for helping us spotlight this important initiative and to everyone who continues to support the Backpack Program.

Donations of backpacks, school supplies, and monetary contributions are still being accepted and will help local students head back to school with confidence.

Watch the interview: Backpack Program Featured on YourTV Halton

Backpack Program Featured Again on YourTV Halton

As part of this year’s Backpack Program, YourTV Halton joined us for Backpack Packing Day to capture the community effort that helps prepare hundreds of backpacks for local students each year.

The feature showcases volunteers working together to sort, organize, and pack backpacks filled with essential school supplies, helping ensure students have what they need for a successful start to the school year.

We’re grateful to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and support to make this year’s packing day a success. From donors and volunteers to community partners, each contribution helps make a meaningful difference for local students and families.

Applications for the Backpack Program remain open. If you or someone you know could benefit from support, we encourage you to apply here.

Together, We Made a Difference!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, volunteers, community partners, and supporters, 228 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed through the Links2Care Backpack Program this year.

Because of your support, 228 children and youth in our community started the school year equipped with the tools they needed to learn, grow, and succeed. For many families, these backpacks helped ease the financial pressures that often come with back-to-school season and ensured students could begin the year feeling prepared and confident.

This achievement would not have been possible without the kindness and commitment of so many individuals, organizations, workplaces, community groups, and volunteers who donated supplies, gave their time, organized collection drives, helped pack backpacks, and supported distribution efforts. Every contribution, no matter the size, played an important role in helping local families.

To everyone who donated, volunteered, promoted the program, or supported our efforts in any way, thank you. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across our community.

We would also like to recognize the many generous supporters listed below. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and commitment to helping local students start the school year strong.