How do I register for Pack-a-Sack?

We work with The Caring and Sharing Exchange team to register children and youth.

You can register by:

1. Calling 211. They will provide you with your local resource centre or partner agency contact information.

2. Reach out to your local Community House or Resource Centre directly.

To learn about of the registered partner agencies. Visit The Caring and Sharing Exchange – The Caring and Sharing Exchange.

Pack-a-Sack

Each September, thousands of children in Ottawa return to school without backpacks and proper school supplies. The OCH Foundation’s Pack-a-Sack program purchases supplies and backpacks for children living in Ottawa Community Housing so they can return to school equipped and ready to learn.

Did you know:

• In 2021, more than 750 requests were made for support from individuals living in Ottawa Community Housing.
• It costs between $40 – $60 to equip children and older youth with the back-to-school supplies they need for proper learning (backpack, markers, pencils, erasers, ruler, scissors, etc.).
• The median income of families living in OCH is approximately $17,000 per year meaning that many families struggle to cover the cost of back-to-school supplies for their children.

Since 2014, the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation’s Pack-a-Sack program has supported thousands of children, youth and their families living in OCH neighborhoods. We partner with the Caring and Sharing Exchange, a local organization that performs a coordination and distribution service to ensure the even dissemination of school essentials to families in need. This year we were able to purchase over $20,000 worth of school supplies to be distributed to families living in OCH.

If you would like to organize a Pack-a-Sack fundraiser on behalf of the Foundation, please reach out to us at info@ochfoundation.ca or donate directly through our Canada Helps portal.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.