Backpack To School Program Returns For 23rd Year

ORLEANS – The Homeless Prevention Council (HPC) has begun its annual effort to distribute backpacks and school supplies to school children in need on the Cape through the annual Backpack to School program.

HPC anticipates that over 400 backpacks, all personally customized and filled with the necessary school supplies, will be distributed to students at all grade levels from kindergarten to high school.

“Every backpack is specifically customized for the school, the grade, and the age of the child and their special requests for a certain type of backpack or color,” said Hadley Luddy, chief executive officer of HPC.

Jenna Smith, HPC’s administrative coordinator, is leading this year’s effort, which will be HPC’s 23rd Backpack to School program and the largest one yet. In 2022, the HPC distributed 327 backpacks, before giving away 368 in 2023. As the HPC prepares to meet the demand of over 400 requests for back to school help, it is clear that the need for financial help on the Cape is increasing.

Luddy believes the reasons for the rise in demand could be rooted in the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Cape’s worsening housing crisis.

“The need has increased because we continue to live in a time where housing is just really both inaccessible and unaffordable,” Luddy said. “That, in addition to the high cost of living that we experience here in the Lower and Outer Cape, makes it really challenging for families to get by.”

In order to understand what each child wants and needs, HPC has reached out to schools in the district for supply lists and personal preferences. Backpacks and supplies are primarily acquired through donations, which can be dropped off at any one of the HPC’s many collection locations. Collection spots can be found at the HPC office in Orleans, the Wellfleet and Orleans police departments, and all Seamen’s Bank locations.

“We are really trying to engage the community in this great effort to make sure our kids go back to school with everything they need to succeed,” Luddy said.

Smith, alongside a dedicated team of case managers, has been working to ensure that families are signed up, information is being effectively disseminated, and the program is running smoothly. At HPC, annual efforts like this benefit from the help of all staff members and volunteers,

“It’s really a whole team effort,” Luddy said. “Everything we do at HPC is all hands on deck, and every one of us gets involved at some level. It’s a communitywide effort and we’re all really happy to be a part of it.”

The Seamen’s Bank, Nauset Marine, and the Orleans Police Department are partnering with HPC to promote the program and help relieve the financial burden schooling places on families. Families who are interested in participating in the program can call HPC’s office at 508-255-9667, and those interested in donating can find a supply list at www.hpccapecod.org.

“This is a great way for our community to support kids and families,” Luddy said. “It’s another way that we can help families remain here, in our community and a part of our workforce, and to be sure that young people growing up in our region are able to thrive and succeed.”