Photo provided by the United Way KFL&A
The United Way KFL&A is asking the community to help children head back to school prepared by supporting its annual Backpack Program.
The program runs each summer to collect school supplies and financial donations before students return to the classroom.
myFM spoke with David Patterson, who says it serves families across Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, helping ensure children from junior kindergarten to Grade 12 have the supplies they need.
While school supplies are welcome, Patterson said monetary donations have the biggest impact.
Needed items include backpacks, calculators, math sets, crayons, pencil crayons, pens, pencils, rulers and erasers. The organization aims to fill every backpack before they are distributed through partner agencies.
Physical donations can be dropped off at the United Way office at 417 Bagot St. in Kingston. Beginning July 28, donations will also be accepted at the Cataraqui Centre in Centre Court.
Patterson said the program gives children more than just school supplies.
He added the program relies on volunteers and community generosity each year to help prepare hundreds of local students for the school year ahead.
Written by Emily Chatwood
