Backpack, school supply giveaways underway in Calgary
Posted Aug 15, 2026 4:00 pm.
Last Updated Aug 15, 2026 4:59 pm.
It’s the middle of August, which means it’s back-to-school season, and while many children might be excited by this, for many families it’s difficult getting their kids the supplies they need to feel confident in school.
That’s why several backpack giveaways are taking place this weekend in Calgary, helping kids start school with confidence.
“With these things I can get better in some subjects and stuff,” said Nico Sanchez, a sixth grader.
We attended both the CCIS and Owen Hart Foundation giveaways; organizers say it’s about helping students feel at home in their classrooms.
“Not only confidence, that feeling for the kids that they do belong,” said Hasmik Asmaryan, with CCIS.
Oje Hart, the organizer of the Owen Hart Foundation, said, “I think when they show up prepared, they’re ready to learn and they feel like they’re in the right place, and it keeps them in school, which is exactly where they should be.”
According to a report from the Retail Council of Canada, the average household in the country spends roughly $600-750 per child, when electronics are included. One parent CityNews spoke to said without the backpacks, he’d be quite stressed.
“It brings relief from a financial perspective, but also from a mental perspective as well,” said Abdul Kadir Abdalla, a parent and teacher.
One of Abdalla’s children is on the autism spectrum. He adds that being able to check some items off his list without breaking the bank is a big help when dealing with additional expenses.
“All the other costs that come with being on the spectrum, in terms of therapy and all that, absolutely. Cause those could eat up a lot of the costs as well,” he explained.
This is the first year that CCIS is giving out supplies in Calgary, while the Owen Hart Foundation is nearing a decade. They add that it’s not a competition for them, and they’re happy to see more community groups getting involved.
