This August, more than 100 volunteers came together to assemble over 2,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies for children and youth living in Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) communities. The second annual 24-hour Pack-a-Thon, organized by the OCH Foundation, kicked off on August 7 and wrapped up on August 8, bringing community partners and volunteers together for a shared goal: helping students start the school year fully prepared.
With the rising cost of living, back-to-school expenses can be a challenge for families. The average monthly income for a family living in OCH is $1,775, while school supplies can easily cost over $100 per child. The Pack-a-Sack program, a cornerstone initiative of the OCH Foundation since 2014, aims to relieve that burden by providing backpacks filled with quality school supplies, from pencils and markers to geometry sets.
This year, the program expanded to include Grade 11 students, responding to the growing need among older youth for academic support. Volunteers, with the help of the Youth In Policing Initiative (YIPI), OCH, and Enterprise, not only packed the backpacks but also delivered them directly to communities, ensuring students across Ottawa had what they needed to start the school year with confidence.
The Pack-a-Thon’s success was made possible through the collaboration of 22 dedicated partners, including Khalsa Aid Ottawa, Hydro Ottawa, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), HEIN, EnviroCentre, Bridgehead, Moxies, RBC, Giant Tiger, Régimbal, the Coalition of Community Houses, Caring & Sharing Exchange, REMAX–Good Story, TEKsystems, North & Navy, Cantina Gia, Taggart Realty Management, Whole Foods, Gabriel Pizza, Youth In Policing Initiative (YIPI), Enterprise, and Pomerleau.
Thanks to the generosity and commitment of volunteers and partners alike, thousands of children and youth across OCH communities can head back to school equipped, supported, and ready to thrive.
We thank the media for covering of our Pack-a-Sack campaign. Here’s a full recap of how the media covered this important community initiative:
Caroline in the Capital: Packing with heart: helping kids in Ottawa Community Housing to thrive this school year
CBC: Ottawa Community Housing packs bags for kids in need
Radio-Canada: Achat de fournitures scolaires : les organismes s’activent à Ottawa et à Gatineau
CTV News: Preparing for back-to-school season
“Thank you to the Pack-a-Sack program for supporting my children. I hope you realize you’re helping make the world a better place by supporting young talent and making dreams possible for children whose families simply can’t afford these opportunities…”
Quote from Judith Janice, parent whose children received backpacks.
“Each year, Pack-a-Sack shows the incredible power of community. What started as a goal to fillith a goal of 700 backpacks in 2022 has more than tripled in just a three years. Last year alone, we helped over 2,000 students head back to school with a full backpack ready to succeedchool. This year, we’re proud to grow the program further by including Grade 11 students, ensuring even more children and youth have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive.”
Traci Spour-Lafrance, Executive Director, OCH Foundation
“Pack-a-Sack isn’t just about pencils and notebooks; it’s about dignity, confidence, and community. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our partners and volunteers, this year’s Pack-a-Thon will reach even more young people in our OCH communities—where the need is real, and where a little support has a huge impact. Together, we’re showing up for these kids—and helping them step into the school year with their heads held high.”
Melissa Reeves, Chair, OCH Foundation
