When the school bell rings, every child deserves to walk through those doors ready to learn — backpack in hand, supplies organized, confidence intact.
The morning rush of a new school year carries a particular energy. Children adjusting straps on new backpacks, parents double-checking supply lists, teachers preparing classrooms for fresh faces. For 2,124 students across our community, this September brought something extra — the quiet assurance that they had everything they needed to start strong.
Through our School Backpack Program, families received fully stocked backpacks containing grade-appropriate school supplies. We speak with local school administrators to get the current school supply lists, so every child receives exactly what they need. Each backpack held the essentials: notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders, glue sticks, and the other tools that transform learning from a wish into a possibility. But beyond the practical items, these backpacks carried something deeper — the message that their education matters, that their community believes in their potential.
This year’s program reached more children than ever before, serving 2,124 students. The increase reflects both growing need in our community and the expanding network of partners who recognize that educational equity begins with access to basic supplies.
The scope of this program requires the coordinated efforts of multiple ministry partners across 24 different groups. What emerges from this collaboration is far more than the sum of its parts: a comprehensive support system that ensures no child faces the school year unprepared.
We extend deep gratitude to the many organizations and individuals who made this possible, including Faith Troy, Foresters Financial, Chris and Heidi Beale, Ascension Lutheran Church, Magna Exteriors, Enginuity, Woodside Troy Bible Church, Thrivent Financial, and numerous other generous partners.
The generosity extends beyond organizational giving. Individual donors stepped forward with remarkable commitment. One family alone contributed 27 cases of backpacks — a contribution that equipped hundreds of students across multiple schools. Their example illustrates how individual acts of generosity can create ripples of impact that reach far beyond what any single person might imagine.
Tutoring Program: Building on the Foundation
As students settle into their new school year with supplies in hand, Gifts continues supporting their academic journey through our tutoring program. Currently serving 32 students, this program provides the additional support that helps children not just keep up, but move ahead. If you are interested in volunteering as a tutor, please learn more here.
The connection between having proper supplies and academic success extends throughout the school year. When children have the tools they need from day one, they can focus entirely on learning rather than worrying about missing materials or falling behind due to lack of resources.
The Broader Impact
These 2,124 backpacks represent more than distributed supplies — they represent restored dignity, reduced anxiety for parents, and eliminated barriers for children. Teachers report that students with proper supplies engage more confidently in classroom activities. Parents share relief at not having to choose between school supplies and other family necessities.
Each partnership in this program creates lasting relationships that extend well beyond the school supply season. Ministry partners often discover additional ways to support the families they serve, creating ongoing connections that strengthen the entire community support network.
The School Backpack Program demonstrates what becomes possible when need meets coordinated response. As these 2,124 students navigate their school year, they carry with them not just the supplies they need, but the knowledge that their community stands behind their educational success.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6