For children living in poverty, the right school supplies often become a luxury instead of a necessity. Arriving at school with the tools to learn is especially difficult for the over 45,000 Northwest Arkansas public school students who come from low-income families.

Every year, Samaritan Community Center's BackPacks for Kids program helps local families send their children back to school fully equipped to learn. Over 3300 children receive new backpacks filled with the supplies they need to achieve in school. 

By providing these students with the necessary supplies, we can send them to school better prepared to succeed and steer them towards the path that leads to high school graduation and out of the cycle of poverty.

Every child in our community matters, regardless of their circumstances or how much money their family earns, and we ALL benefit when EVERY student is given the utmost opportunity to learn and grow. On average a child will require $50 worth of school supplies, including a new backpack, just to start the school year. For a family living in poverty, this expense requires the sacrifice of other necessities such as food and utilities. For families with multiple children attending school, purchasing school supplies is simply not feasible.

Will you join us in combating the cycle of poverty by helping at-risk youth get the tools they need to succeed in the new school year?