Mayor Joseph U. Meyer, City Of Covington | City Of Covington website
Mayor Joseph U. Meyer, City Of Covington | City Of Covington website
Families in Northern Kentucky will have the opportunity to receive free backpacks filled with school supplies during a first-come, first-served event on Saturday, Aug. 10. The annual Backpacks Bonanza, organized by Northern Kentucky Harvest, aims to distribute 1,125 backpacks this year.
City of Covington employees will assist in assembling and distributing the backpacks, which are intended for students from pre-school through 12th grade.
“We know the need for this project remains great because of the number of families that have sought our help in the past several years,” said Harvest board President Paul Gottbrath. “We’re responding with what could be our biggest give-away ever.”
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s campus at 1500 James Simpson Jr. Way in Covington. Approximately 800 to 900 backpacks will be distributed on-site, while others will be given in advance to low-income families through community partners such as Esperanza Latino Center, ION Center, Welcome House in Covington, and Catholic Charities in Elsmere.
Initiated modestly in 2001 with just 150 backpacks, the project has grown significantly over the years. In 2023 alone, 1,094 backpacks were distributed, bringing the total number given out since inception to over 17,000.
This year's distribution marks a return to the pre-pandemic format where no prior registration is required; families only need to present a photo ID and proof of Northern Kentucky residence along with documentation showing that children live with them.
The initiative not only helps alleviate back-to-school costs for struggling families but also boosts students' enthusiasm for returning to classes. “You give a kid a new backpack; it’s amazing how that increases their excitement about the new school year,” Gottbrath added.
Financial support for Backpacks Bonanza comes from various organizations including Butler Foundation, R.C. Durr Foundation, Covington Rotary Foundation, Scripps Foundation, Western & Southern Financial Fund, SofaGives Charitable Fund, and St. Pius X Church in Edgewood among others.
“We couldn’t do this without all our generous sponsors, supporters and partners,” Gottbrath said.
For more information regarding this event or other inquiries related to Northern Kentucky Harvest's initiatives contact Paul Gottbrath at (859) 750-2813 or paulgottbrath@gmail.com.
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