At United Way of Central Ohio and NBC4, we believe in the incredible potential of every student. When our students have the tools they need, they can dream bigger, learn more and achieve their goals.
This summer, you have the power to spark success and be a Backpack Hero for local scholars by joining us for Stuff the Backpack. Since 2018, Stuff the Backpack has equipped more than 220,000 students with the supplies they need to feel prepared, confident and excited to learn as soon as that first bell rings.
We are preparing to stuff as many as 10,000 backpacks on Aug. 6 at Nationwide Arena, and we need your help! Gather your family members, friends and co-workers and sign up here for a 90-minute shift on our volunteer platform, operated by Besa.
REGISTER TODAY
You can expect light refreshments, tons of fun and the satisfaction of knowing you are a Backpack Hero for local students!
Heroes come in all forms, so we make it easy to donate to Stuff the Backpack. Every $10 you give provides a new backpack filled with essential school supplies for a local student. A donation of just $270 will equip an entire classroom! Visit our giving page at Goodworld to make your gift now.
DONATE NOW
The Power of a Backpack
It may seem simple—a backpack, some pencils, a few notebooks. But for families who are struggling to make ends meet, these supplies can make all the difference.
In central Ohio, nearly 2 out of 5 families with young children are living paycheck to paycheck. They’re known as ALICE families (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed). They work hard but are still unable to afford life’s basics like housing, childcare, and yes, school supplies.
That’s why Stuff the Backpack is about more than just supplies. It’s about giving kids the dignity of showing up with everything they need. And it’s one more way United Way is helping remove barriers to success for children in our community.
Why It Matters: Success by Third Grade
When we talk about backpacks, we’re really talking about the future.
United Way’s Success by Third Grade movement is built on one simple truth, if a child isn’t reading at grade level by the end of third grade, they’re four times more likely to drop out of high school. But when kids start strong by coming to school ready to learn, with stable housing, healthy meals and the right support, they have a much better chance of thriving.
Stuffing backpacks might seem like a small act. But it’s part of a much bigger movement to ensure every child has the resources they need to succeed.
Join Us
Whether you donate, sign up to volunteer or simply spread the word, you can be a Backpack Hero and part of something that changes young lives. United is the Way to send our students back to school with love, encouragement and the supplies they need to achieve their dreams.
*Distribution of filled backpacks will take place by NBC4 and partner school districts at a later date and not at the event.
Many thanks to our partners and sponsors of this event:
NBC4 | Grange Insurance |
Hexion | Honda of America | The Olivia Claire Obrokta Foundation |
Bailey Cavalieri | JP Morgan Chase | COTA | GBQ | Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO |
Besa | EASE Logistics | Nationwide Arena | UPS
