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ACS Backpack Drive

2025 Backpack Drive

Help us send Ancaster children and teenagers back to school with the supplies they need for a successful school year.

With the continued increase in the number of families accessing the Ancaster Food Bank, we want to provide some extra support and alleviate some of the costs associated with going back to school.

The 2025 Backpack Drive runs from June 2nd – August 8th and your donations can be dropped off at the Ancaster Community Services office located at 300 Wilson St. E., Ancaster. There is a special bin in the lobby of our building (lower level of the library) to leave your donations for the Backpack Drive (starting Monday, June 2nd, 2025).

Our goal is to provide 120 backpacks* for various age groups.
Here is a detailed list of what we hope to provide for our Ancaster families.

 

GRADESK-GRADE 4GRADES 5-8GRADES 9-12
Goal:50 complete backpacks40 complete backpacks30 complete backpacks
Items needed:

backpacks
lunch bags
reusable water bottles
pencil cases
crayons
pencil crayons
wooden pencils
scissors
glue

backpacks
lunch bags
pencil cases
duotangs
pencils
pencil crayons
basic calculators
pens
pencil sharpeners
erasers
lined paper
backpacks
binders
folders (duotangs)
mechanical pencils
pens
highlighters
lined paper
erasers
scientific calculators

**Please note that we are collecting NEW items only.

In addition to the items needed for each backpack, we are also collecting school snacks such as granola bars, fruit cups, apple sauce, nut-free snacks, crackers, and juice boxes.

Look for the special donation bin in our lobby next time you visit the Ancaster Municipal Service Centre (after June 2nd, 2025).  Contact us to make arrangements for drop offs outside of regular business hours.

Help us send local kids back to school ready to learn!

Make a financial contribution to the ACS Backpack Drive

Mention 'Backpack Drive' in the 'In Recognition & In Memory Field' on the form

*Backpacks will be offered to registered Food Bank clients with school-aged children who reside in Ancaster.  We cannot guarantee the number of backpacks available nor the contents within each backpack.

poster with details for acs backpack drive

2024 Backpack Drive

Through the 2024 Backpack Drive, we were able to support 45 Ancaster families and provide 97 backpacks filled with school supplies and snacks!
Thank you to everyone who donated to help us support Ancaster children and teens as they headed back to school.

From a client supported by the 2024 Backpack Drive: “That’s great for my daughter. Unicorns are her favourite” – ACS Food Assistance Program Client

Thank you to The Net Youth Engagement Program volunteers for getting the backpacks ready for clients! 
photo of youth volunteers holding backpacks