Pack-a-Thon is the annual 24-hour fundraising event that powers Pack-a-Sack, our back-to-school program. Pack-a-Sack provides backpacks filled with school supplies to ensure school students living in Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) communities can return to school with everything they need to succeed. We will host our 3rd Annual Pack-a-Thon on August 6-7, 2026, bringing together corporate sponsors, community partners, and over 100 volunteers to pack more than 2,000 backpacks.
Pack-a-Thon sponsorship is more than just a donation, it’s a hands-on investment in educational equity. Sponsorships include a team volunteer experience so you can witness first-hand the tangible impact of your contribution, along with brand recognition as a community partner. Whether you are a small business, large corporation, or a community organization, your support ensures that every child starts the school year with the tools they need to succeed. In 2025, 22 dedicated partners supported the event, demonstrating what’s possible when the community unites.
Pack-a-Thon is a high-energy, purpose-driven volunteer event where sponsor groups help pack the very backpacks they have funded. Through a pay-to-pack sponsorship model, organizations make a financial contribution to support Pack-a-Sack, send a team to volunteer and pack the school supplies that their sponsorship helped purchase. It’s a tangible, team-building experience rooted in equity, inclusion and community impact.
The event is structured as a 24-hour fundraising event held over two consecutive days (12 hours each day). Volunteer teams sign up for 2-3 hour shifts, rotating throughout the event to help us reach our goal.
Backpacks delivered by Pack-a-Sack since 2014
Volunteers who participate annually.
Hours it took to pack 2,111 backpacks in 2025.
Pack-a-Thon is about more than backpacks, it’s about equity. Children living in OCH communities deserve the same opportunities to succeed as anyone else. Your sponsorship and volunteer time make a tangible difference. Each backpack we pack contains new, high-quality school supplies – from pencils and notebooks to binders and geometry sets – giving students the tools they need to learn, participate, and thrive.
By volunteering, you see your impact firsthand: every shift, every backpack you pack contributes to students walking into school confident, prepared, and supported by their community. A backpack may seem simple, but for a child, it represents belonging, confidence, and a fresh start, and that is impact you can see and be proud of.
