United Way hands out thousands of backpacks to students

Thousands of students across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky started school this month with new backpacks and supplies thanks to United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Backpacks for Success project. 

This year’s Backpacks for Success distributions reached students in several Cincinnati neighborhoods – Avondale, Bond Hill, Cheviot, College Hill, East Westwood, Kennedy Heights, Lincoln Heights, North Fairmount, Northside, Over-the-Rhine, Price Hill, The Villages at Roll Hill and Westwood. Backpacks also made their way to students in Felicity and Franklin townships in Clermont County, and Covington, Kentucky.

​​Now in its fourth year, the program distributed backpacks to 3,500 local students, surpassing the organization’s goal, per the United Way.

The giveaways went beyond school supplies. At August community events, families also received health screenings, school shoes, uniforms and personal care items. The gatherings doubled as celebrations, bringing neighborhoods together in support of students.

In total, the annual effort delivered more than $106,000 in resources, giving children a confident start to the year.

“With rising costs, it’s as important as ever that we work together, remove barriers to learning and help children in all our neighborhoods reach their fullest potential,” Moira Weir, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati, said of the annual drive. 

Much more than a backpack

The backpack project reflects United Way’s broader mission of ensuring economic well-being across the region. Founded in 1915, the nonprofit is one of the largest in Greater Cincinnati, working across nine counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana to advance educational success, financial empowerment and housing stability.

Of course, the United Way couldn’t do it alone. The organization relied on numerous volunteers and donors. Organizing partners included Corinthian Baptist Church, working in collaboration with Shiloh Seventh-Day Adventist, New Prospect Baptist, Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist and Zion Baptist; Guiding Light Mentoring; La Viña Church; and Legacy Pointe Church.

Dozens of companies, unions and community groups also played a role as well:

American Postal Workers United; Ballard Design; Bahl & Gaynor; Berkley Connect Insurance Solution; BlueStar; Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council; Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, Local 1520; Cincinnati Eastside Rotary; Curiosity Advertising; DHL CVG Gateway; Duke Energy; Fifth Third Bank; First Financial Bank; GE Aerospace; JD Finish Line Foundation; Katz Teller; Laborers’ Local 265; Modal Shop; National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 43; NKY Central Labor Council; Ohio AFL-CIO; Oswald Companies; Paycor; Prysmian; Rhinegeist; The Kroger Co.; Thompson Hine LLP; Viking Partners and Your Arbor Home.

“We appreciate our partners, donors and volunteers for stepping up so that students felt confident and supported as they headed back to school,” Weir said.