Backpacks for Kids helps families give their children a great start to the school year by providing new supplies and a new pack to children all across Chatham-Kent.  This year will be our ninth year of providing backpacks and supplies to families.  In the past five years we have provided over 3840 backpacks in total.

Children are identified through referrals from schools, community agencies and self referrals.  Once the information is provided we strive to secure supplies and funds to provide backpacks to those in need.

Dedicated Community Partners that have and continue to support the program include:

• Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
• Winners
• Lambton-Kent District School Board
• St. Clair Catholic District School Board
• Staples Business Depot
• The Rotary Club of Chatham.
• Thamesville United Church Drama
• GreenField Ethanol
• Pioneer Hi-Bred
• Giant Tigers
• WINMAR
• Tim Hortons Lacroix Street location
• Gregory Drive Alliance Church
• Dr. Richardson Fund of Tilbury
• NeighbourLink
• Kiwanis Action Club
• Adult Language and Learning
• Chatham-Kent Block Parent Program
• United Way of Chatham-Kent’s Youth Committee

And many other community folks throughout the year that have assisted with providing supplies, assembly and distribution of the backpacks.

For more information on how you can support this program or if your child is need of a backpack for September of 2011, please phone our office and ask for Veronica McCloskey, Backpacks for Kids  Coordinator at (519) 354-0430, email veronica@uwock.ca or download a referral form by clicking here

Backpacks are available for pickup between Aug 31st-Sept 2nd at Our Saviours Lutheran Church, 445 McNaughton Avenue West anytime between 8:30am-4:30pm.

Backpacks will be delivered to the schools between Aug 31st-Sept 2nd.