Backpack Program

2026 OPERATION BACKPACK REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!

Registration for the 2026 Operation Backpack
season is now closed.

Thank you to our incredible community, donors, volunteers, and partners for your continued support. Together, we are helping children and youth across Durham Region head into the new school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn. Thank you for helping make the 2026 Operation Backpack season a success!

2026 OPERATION BACKPACK

Each year, our Backpack Program ensures children from junior kindergarten through Grade 12, arrive at school confident about the coming school year with newly supplied backpacks filled with supplies!
This year Simcoe Hall is teaming up with other Durham non-profits to ensure every child in Durham has a backpack full of school supplies come September.
To make the most of our collective resources, Durham Children’s Aid Foundation, Durham Community Health Centre, Ignite Durham Learning Foundation, Simcoe Hall Settlement House, St. Andrews Community Food Bank and United Way of Durham are coming together for Operation Backpack.
Our goal is to provide each child with a quality backpack filled with grade level appropriate items… binders, refill paper, scribblers, report covers, pencil crayons, pens, pencils, rulers, and the list goes on. The success of this annual campaign relies on the collection of school supplies through a network of donation bins, supply drives and community events, including the following:
  • Stuff the Ride Events at Walmart locations in Oshawa on July 11th:
    • Walmart Laval – Stuff the Cruiser
    • Walmart Harmony – Stuff the Fire Truck

  • Stuff the Bus Event, which is scheduled to take place this year at the Oshawa Centre Staples on July 25th.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2025 campaign!
All of the backpacks and supplies made available through this program have been donated.  If you would like to contribute, please click on the button below:
Donate Today

Operation Backpack in Our Community

Hear from Mursal Alami of Ignite Durham Learning Foundation and Aymber Deschamps of Simcoe Hall Settlement House as they speak to 100 Women Who Care Durham about Operation Backpack and the difference this community initiative makes for local children and families.

Operation Backpack is a collaborative effort made possible through the dedication of our partner agencies, including Ignite Durham Learning Foundation, Simcoe Hall Settlement House, St. Andrew’s Food Bank, United Way Durham Region, Children’s Aid Foundation, and Durham Community Health Centre. Together, we work to ensure children and youth across Durham Region have access to the school supplies they need to begin the school year prepared and ready to learn.

Click the link below to watch Mursal and Aymber share the story, partnership, and community impact behind Operation Backpack.

Watch the presentation on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WwBKTBnnwA

There are many ways to support the program this year: