Backpack Bonanza seeks donations of school supplies

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SALT CITY – To help families in need, Catholic Community Services of Utah is hosting its annual Backpack Bonanza to provide children with classroom items for the coming school year.  

In 2019, the Huntington Backpack Index indicated that parents of elementary students can expect to pay around $1,017 per child on school supplies, extracurricular fees, and technology, and “that price only increases as students progress in their education.”

Last year, many of the students in Utah were learning remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so CCS’ Backpack Bonanza effort was scaled back, although parents still faced a monetary impact.

“Many homes saw an impact on their finances with the increased need for technology and connected devices in the home,” said Kearstin Cantrell, CCS’ marketing manager. “Going into the upcoming school year, families are going to be adjusting to once again sending their children to school in person.”

With that, some parents may face financial strain while trying to make sure that their students have all the necessary school supplies.  

“Every child deserves to go to school with the tools they need to succeed,” Cantrell said. “When students don’t have to focus on what school supplies they do and don’t have, they can spend more time focusing on the lessons being taught in class.”

By donating to the Backpack Bonanza, community members can help parents and students in the community prepare for the upcoming school year, she added.

CCS’ program provides backpacks and school supplies to around 1,000 kids annually.

“In order to reach that many students this year, we are in need of more donations,” Cantrell said.

Donations will be collected through Aug. 6. Requested items are backpacks, binders, folders, pencil boxes, paper, notebooks, colored pencils, glue sticks, markers, crayons, highlighters, rulers and scissors.  

Donations may be dropped off at any branch of Zions Bank or Wasatch Peaks Credit Union. In Ogden, they may be dropped off weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at CCS, 2504 F Ave., or Mondays/Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at United Way of Northern Utah, 2955 Harrison Blvd. #201.

For information on donation needs and drop off instructions, visit https://bit.ly/3krldUA.