Backpacks for Kids 2026: United Way Northumberland Opens Donation Drive, Registrations, and Applications

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY – United Way Northumberland is proud to announce that Backpacks for Kids is officially underway for 2026. Now in its 21st year, the program ensures that children across Northumberland County, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, start the school year with new essential school supplies they need.

This year, we are calling on our community from every direction – as donors, as hosts, and as recipients because more families in our County are struggling.

For Families and Caregivers

Backpacks for Kids is open to families and caregivers across Northumberland County who are experiencing financial hardship. If your family is regularly accessing a food bank, this program was built for you. If you have children or youth residing with you and they do not have access to new school supplies, we welcome and encourage you to apply.

Applications for families and caregivers are now open on our website: www.mynuw.org/backpacksforkids

For Organizations

We are now accepting applications from nonprofits, charities, and organizations that support financially struggling families on behalf of the clients they serve.

Applications for organizations are now open: www.mynuw.org/backpack-for-kids

It Takes a Community

This year, 13 businesses and community groups across 14 locations across Northumberland County have stepped up to host donation drives, helping UWN fill 850 backpacks with everything kids need: crayons, markers, pencils, binders, scientific calculators, and the backpacks themselves.

Thank you to this year’s community partners hosting school supplies donation drives:

Port Hope Police Services – 55 Fox Road, Port Hope
Port Hope Chrysler – 152 Peter Street, Port Hope
Port Hope Hyundai – 50 Benson Court, Port Hope
Port Hope Volkswagon – 55 Benson Court, Port Hope
Roseglen Retirement Community Residence – 63 Wellington Street, Port Hope
Arcadis Port Hope – Field Office, Port Hope
Ganaraska Financial Credit Union – 17 Queen Street, Port Hope
Ganaraska Financial Credit Union – 57 Albert Street, Cobourg
Core Molding Technologies – 3 West Street, Cobourg
Squishy Goose Play Centre – 9 Elgin Street East, Unit #6E, Cobourg
Rosewood Estates Retirement Community – 255 Densmore Road, Cobourg
Community Living & Respite Northumberland – 275 Cottsesmore Avenue, Cobourg
St. Andrew’s United Church – 137 Old Danforth Road, Grafton
Brighton Public Library – 35 Alice Street, Brighton

Calling Industry Sponsors

While our community partners are rallying with donation drives, we are also seeking industry sponsors who want to make a direct financial investment in the program. Industry sponsors help us cover the cost of supplies.

If your business wants to invest in the children of Northumberland County, we want to hear from you.

Contact United Way Northumberland at impact@nuw.unitedway.ca.

This Is What Community Looks Like

“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,” says Alicia Vandine, Executive Director, United Way Northumberland. “I’m very proud of how our community shows up to support children and youth across the County with this program.”

Support Sarah Turck – Port Hope Donation Drive, Saturday, July 25, 2026

Port Hope mom, local cheerleader, and mortgage agent Sarah Turck, Sherwood Park Mortgage, is back for her second annual Backpacks for Kids donation drive, and she needs your support.

On Saturday, July 25, Sarah will be set up in the parking lot near Dollarama in Port Hope, collecting school supplies and accepting donations to provide access to new school supplies for kids across Northumberland County whose families are struggling with the strain of back-to-school expenses. Last year Sarah and friends stuffed her Ram truck full of school supplies for local children and youth. And this year she’s back with K9ine Security, Thompson Motorsports, and Tim Hortons Port Hope.