United Way of Central Ohio and NBC4 have once again joined forces for Stuff the Backpack, a communitywide effort that kicked off on July 3, to ensure local students walk into school ready to learn, ready to belong and ready to succeed.
Since 2018, the partnership has equipped more than 240,000 students with backpacks and supplies, turning a simple school supply drive into a powerful reflection of central Ohio’s generosity. For many families, those supplies are not a small extra. They are a meaningful help at a time when the cost of basics can make even a backpack feel out of reach.
The cost of school supplies has increased considerably, and more donations equals more kids feeling confident and prepared on the first day of school. A gift of $10 provides one backpack filled with essential supplies for a local student, while $270 equips an entire classroom. Click on the donate button to make your gift today! NBC4 viewers, United Way donors and community sponsors continue to make Stuff the Backpack possible, showing what can happen when a community comes together to support its students.
The campaign is rooted in a simple idea: when a child has what they need on the first day of school, they can focus on learning instead of what they are missing. United Way connects that idea to its broader Success by Third Grade work, which focuses on strengthening families and providing all children with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in school and beyond.
United Way’s annual backpack stuffing event will take place Tuesday, Aug. 4 at Nationwide Arena, where organizers will mobilize more than 600 volunteers across two shifts from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and pack as many as 10,000 backpacks. Families are welcome, and a limited number of volunteer spots are available at Besa.org. So grab your friends, family and colleagues and register today to support our local students!
Thank you to our Stuff the Backpack Sponsors:
GRANGE INSURANCE | NBC4
Bailey Cavalieri | Bath & Body Works | Hexion |
Honda of America | The Olivia Claire Obrokta Foundation |
Columbus City Council | COTA | GBQ | JPMorgan Chase | White Castle |
ADAMH | Barnes & Thornburg |
S&T Bank | The Worthington Companies Foundation|
UPIC | Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO |
Besa | EASE Logistics | Nationwide Arena | UPS
