Backpacks 101 Project 2025 was a success!

The Backpacks 101 Project for 2025 was another success thanks to your generous support! We surpassed our goal of 186 and filled 192 backpacks that were delivered to Women's Habitat, Ernestine's Women's Shelter as well as Haven on the Queensway. Many of the bags have already gone out to their new owners! 

Thank you so much to our new and regular donors! 

Backpacks 101 Project 2026

Looking ahead to next year already! We will continue the program. In about a month, you may find some great backpacks on clearance, so you can put them away for next August! Our goal for 2026 will be 201 backpacks!

You will hear from me in July and we will collect filled backpacks mid-August, 2026. Please check the contents list on this site. Consider doing a work event and fill 20 bags, get your book club together to fill 5 bags or get your class to fill 10 bags! 

Until then...

Backpacks 101 Project 2025

 The Backpacks 101 Project continues! This year, we will be filling backpacks for children at Women's Habitat and Ernestine's Women's shelter. Our goal is to fill 110 bags! 

If you are interested in supporting the program, please sign up to fill a backpack on the SIGN UP Genius. You will find the list of contents on this blog. All items are to be new except for a book for each child. Pre-loved books are welcome! 

Drop off will take place from August 12-14 at 3 Cardigan Road. Please text me with your name and approximate drop off time to 416-859-7983. 

High School students may bring their volunteer hours form to be signed. Students will receive 2 hours per backpack up to 10. (10 backpacks= 20 hours). After 10, I will add one hour per backpack. (15 backpacks=25 hours)

For those of you who are out of town, you may wish to purchase an item or 2 on the Amazon Wishlist. We will compile all of the items that we receive to fill the bags. If you would prefer to send an alternate item, you are able to do so as the list has an "add item" option.

AMAZON WISHLIST

Thank you so much for supporting the program! 

Monique 

Backpacks 101 Project est. 2007

 Just another week to go to fill backpacks! If you would like to choose an item on the Amamzon wishlist, please click here! 

CLICK HERE!

We will fill the bags for you! We already have some supplies and we will put all the items needed to fill tha bag. If you just send one backpack, that's ok! We will fill it! 

Backpacks 101 Project 2024

 The 2024 Backpacks 101 Project is underway!! Sign up to fill backpacks for children in need in Toronto, including the Native Family and Child Services of Toronto. 

Our goal this year is to fill 140 backpacks. Thank you to JAM Direct for, once again, supporting our initiative! 

How can you help? It's easy, choose a gender/grade range, check the contents list. Go shopping! Once you have filled your backpack, you can drop it off at 3 Cardigan Road between August 13th and August 15th, 2024. High School students receive 2 hours of volunteer service per backpack.

Live out of town and still want to donate? Choose one or more items and we will fill the backpacks for you! 

https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/297YMLXJW51QS?ref_=wl_share

Tell a friend! 

Thank you for supporting over 17 years of giving and over 1000 backpacks filled! 

Sign up have begun!! We have 64 more backpacks to be donated!!

 The project has come to an end for 2023 with 223 backpacks filled and picked up by Women's Habitat, Ernestine's Women's Shelter and Native Child and Family Services. 

Thanks to all of you who donated and supported the program! 

Until next year...

Monique

How to support the program!

 This year, we have 2 ways to support the program.

1. Use the Signup Genius to pick your age and gender. Fill a backpack using the backpack contents list on the blog. Drop off the backpack between August 14th and 16th at 3 Cardigan Road. High schoolers get 2 hours of volunteer hours per backpack. Click on the Sign Up Genius icon.

2. Purchase items for our Amazon Wishlist. 

https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/2K2PTJZ1K4XFJ?ref_=wl_share

Any questions? Need to drop off on an alternate date? Send me an email at backpacks101project@gmail.com

Each backpack makes a difference for a child's first day at school! 

Thank you ! 

Monique

Backpacks 101 Project 2023

 The Backpacks project is ready to collect filled backpacks for underserved children in our community. Since 2007, we have been filling backpacks for children in shelters in West Toronto. This year, the backpacks will go to Women's Habitat, Ernestine's Women's Shelter as well the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. 

Once again JAMdirect will be filling and donating backpacks to help us reach our goal. 

We will only be accepting filled backpacks. High School students will be able to receive 2 volunteer hours per backpack that they fill. In order to fill a backpack, you can sign up on the Sign up Genius form to choose your age category and gender.

 Drop off will be from August 14th to August 16th.