A large number of filled backpacks lined up in rows up against a gymnasium wall.
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850 Families Supported Through Annual Back-to-School Event

September 4, 2026

For many families, the start of a new school year brings excitement, anticipation and the familiar feeling of a fresh start.

It’s also a busy time as families prepare for the year ahead, from gathering school supplies and new backpacks to getting everything ready for the first day. For some, having a little extra support can make that preparation easier and help ensure every student walks through the school doors feeling confident, welcomed and ready to learn.

That’s where our community comes in.

This year, 850 students and their families benefited from the Abbotsford School District’s annual Back-to-School Backpack and Food Hamper Program. Now in its eighth year, the program has grown from supporting approximately 300 students and families to becoming a wonderful example of our community coming together to support local families.

Volunteers of District staff and community partners helped collect, organize, pack and distribute supplies. Backpacks were filled with essential school supplies, while food hampers included dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and milk.

Families were also invited to stay for a community barbecue hosted by The Salvation Army. It was a chance to connect with neighbours, meet community partners and celebrate the beginning of another school year together.

We are grateful to the many volunteers, partners and sponsors who helped make this year’s event possible, including: 

  • The Salvation Army
  • Archway Community Services
  • Feeding Futures
  • Canucks for Kids Fund
  • Aggressive Towing
  • Nova Dental
  • Abbotsford Youth Commission
  • Christian Life Community Church

Together, they are helping create a community that cares for one another and keeps student success at the heart of what we do.

 

Group photo of staff and volunteers holding a cheque at a community event
Two female staff sitting at a registration table smiling
Male staff surrounded by empty boxes as he breaks them down for recycling
Four females sitting at a registration table waiting to welcome participants
Stacks of fresh produce in bags and boxes on crates with a marketing banner on display for "Archway"
Five staff standing at tables filled with food hamper bags, waiting for participants to arrive to hand them out
Volunteers in the back of a van preparing hot dogs to be handed out to community members
Someone holding a plastic bag over a box that they are filling with fresh produce
Tied bag of fresh produce sitting on a table as someone grabs it
Two male staff standing at tables with food hampers that are being handed out to families
Three males standing at a table surrounded by food hampers, waiting to pass them to families
Two staff standing behind a table filled with backpacks as a student stands and waits to be handed one.
Three female volunteers pose for a photo with smiling faces, wearing shirts that represent Abbotsford School District
Hundreds of filled food hampers lined up in rows up against a school gymnasium wall
Male volunteer learning down to pick up filled backpacks
Rows and rows of filled backpacks lined up on the gymnasium floor, up against the wall as a staff member stands and waits for students to pick one up.
Volunteer in a gymnasium, packing backpacks for an event
A group of volunteers standing next to filled hampers
Two female staff standing with filled backpacks waiting to hand out to students
Volunteer standing in front of boxes filled with supplies as they pack backpacks
Volunteer with two filled backpacks over her shoulder as she stands in front of a table full of boxes with supplies in them
Volunteers at a line of tables filling backpacks with supplies
Volunteers standing at tables with school supplies as they pack them into backpacks