For large agency requests, refer them to www.backpackorder.ca

Intake procedure for annual backpack program

• runs from mid-June to late August each year
• 2-1-1 Navigators complete the intake process for clients applying for United Way of Bruce Grey's Backpack Program
• program provides school supplies to school-age children
• public program record is GRE0088

Backpack Intake for 2024 will run Jun 24, 2024 to 8:30 am, Aug 19, 2024

• after 8:30 am, Aug 19, 2024, direct callers to contact the United Way of Bruce Grey directly (United Way can accommodate exceptions for emergencies, such as women in shelters, on a case-by-case basis)
• backpacks should be in the family's hands by the Friday before Labour Day

Steps for 211 Navigators

1. Privacy

Inform inquirer of process and read Confidentiality Agreement. Personal information will only be shared with United Way of Bruce Grey

"To determine whether you are eligible for the Backpack Program assistance, I will need to ask you some questions about your household. We request and collect information for the purpose of processing your application to the Backpack Program. All of the information collected is considered confidential and will not be discussed with anyone outside our agency and the United Way of Bruce Grey office without your permission."

2. Eligibility

• must reside in Bruce or Grey County to be eligible, regardless of where child attends school. Callers living in other counties will need to access backpack programs in their area of residence
  
• preschool-aged children - backpacks are never provided to children until they are starting Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten, regardless of other children in the family
• college students - the United Way often gets requests for college students. We do not wish to provide backpacks for college students, but if a family is getting backpacks for other children and have a college student please list that student as an additional High School Student

For school orders/large agency requests, www.backpackorder.ca

3. Complete the intake form on the phone with the applicant

Google Doc: 2024 United Way of Bruce Grey Backpack Program Intake

Advise inquirer of program's next steps below.

4. Program Next Steps

Applicant will be placed on a waiting list for their backpacks. They will get a call back from the United Way to find out where and when to pick up their backpacks. Backpacks should be in the family's hands by the Friday before Labour Day.

The waiting list is on a first come first serve basis. The United Way has never come up short on finding enough supplies.

Once backpacks are available, the United Way will contact the parent and co-ordinate pick-up in Owen Sound or will have the backpack dropped at the closest major community depot (such as a local Early Years Learning Centre, a church, a food bank etc).

For families outside of Owen Sound, pick up details can be found here.

Upon completion of the intake form, there is no need for any other action as the Google Doc is completely live and may be accessed at any time by United Way staff.

Other Information

Backpack Contents

• list of school supplies included in backpacks for each age range

Donations

• the United Way encourages donating backpacks or cash rather than donating supplies
• donations of backpacks or school supplies are accepted in person during United Way office hours year-round
• financial donations can be made in person or online at www.donatetoday.ca

United Way may collect donations of school supplies during an annual Stuff the Bus event at the end of August.

We are doing intake until 8:30 am, Aug 19, 2023, but the United Way or other agencies may advertise an earlier end date to encourage clients to register earlier. Late applicants can be served, but they may to have to come to Owen Sound to pick up