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Ottawa, ON – August 9, 2024 – The Ottawa Community Housing Foundation (OCH Foundation) today hosted its inaugural Pack-a-Thon event. Over 100 volunteers assembled over 2,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies for children and youth living in Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) communities. The event started on Thursday, August 8th and wrapped up today, August 9th.
With the rising cost of living, preparing to return to school is incredibly stressful for most families. The cost of school supplies add up quickly. The average monthly income of a family living in OCH is $1,775, and school supplies can easily cost over $100 per child.
The OCH Foundation’s Pack-a-Sack program, a core initiative since 2014, aims to alleviate the stress of back-to-school preparations for families living in OCH communities. By providing backpacks filled with quality school supplies—from lunch bags and water bottles to pencils, markers, and geometry sets—the program ensures that children and youth from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 10 start the school year fully equipped and ready to learn.
This year’s Pack-a-Thon represents a significant expansion of the program’s impact, thanks to the collaboration of 17 dedicated community partners, including Khalsa Aid Ottawa, Ottawa Community Housing, Kiwanis Ottawa, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Hydro Ottawa, Bridgehead, Moxies, RBC Foundation, Active Youth Ottawa, Giant Tiger, Régimbal, the Coalition of Community Houses, Caring & Sharing Exchange, West Village Church, EBC, The Met, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and Tek Systems.
A parent who received support from the program said, “Thank you to the Pack-a-Sack program for your support for my two young boys. As a single mom in full-time school, I had no idea how I was going to purchase the necessary school supplies. My two boys were so happy to see their school bags. We are now ready for their first day of school.”
Angela Begin, Executive Director of OCH Foundation: “Pack-a-Sack is one of our flagship programs and has shown remarkable growth over the years. Starting with a goal of 700 backpacks in 2022, expanding to 1,463 backpacks last year, and now aiming to provide over 2,000 backpacks this year, the program exemplifies our unwavering commitment to supporting families in Ottawa Community Housing. Each year, Pack-a-Sack meets and exceeds expectations, demonstrating our dedication to ensuring every child has the essential tools to succeed in school.”
Melissa Reeves, Chair, OCH Foundation: “The Pack-a-Sack program is more than just a back-to-school initiative; it is a lifeline for families in our community. This year’s Pack-a-Thon, supported by our incredible community partners, exemplifies our dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families living in Ottawa Community Housing. Together, we are turning hope into action and empowering the next generation to thrive.”
The OCH Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the health and social well-being of over 33,000 tenants living in Ottawa Community Housing (OCH). Through education, employment, and community engagement projects, the Foundation helps tenants achieve personal success and responds to emerging needs. Since its inception, the OCH Foundation has supported more than 6,000 children and youth through its Pack-a-Sack program.
Traci Spour-Lafrance (she/her/elle), Senior Manager, Partnerships & Innovation, OCH Foundation
Cell: 343-997-6400
Email: traci.spour-lafrance@ochfoundation.ca
39 Auriga Drive, Ottawa (ON) K2E 7Y8
Phone(613) 618-9353
Charitable Registration # 816590483RR0001
OCH Foundation’s work in Ottawa takes place on the traditional unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe nation. As uninvited guests on this land, we acknowledge the leadership of Indigenous people from time immemorial.
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