As a new school year nears, a familiar Franklin County tradition is once again helping ensure local students begin classes with the supplies they need.
Now in its 22nd year, the Blooming Backpacks campaign is collecting backpacks and school supplies for children across the county while also supporting families through a diaper drive, slated for Aug. 1 to Aug. 31.
Organized by Women’s Way, an affinity group of United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region, Blooming Backpacks was created in 2005 to help ease the financial burden many families face while preparing for a new school year. The campaign provides new backpacks filled with school supplies to partner agencies that in turn distribute them directly to children in need throughout the region.
“What we want to do is fill that gap for families who might struggle [with having to choose] between school supplies or buying food,” said Nissa Hallquist, program and operations coordinator for the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region. “This gives kids a strong start to a school year when they might not normally have the supplies.”
The program has grown considerably since its early days when it operated out of volunteers’ homes. Hallquist said stronger involvement from United Way has expanded the campaign’s reach through increased marketing, community partnerships and corporate support, allowing organizers to distribute hundreds of backpacks each year.
This year’s goal is to collect supplies for at least 250 students, although organizers would welcome more, with last year’s event having surpassed that same goal. The 2025 collection supported nearly 350 students through donations of backpacks, supplies and monetary contributions.
Hallquist said working with the campaign has also highlighted how many local families struggle to afford items that many people take for granted.
“There are a lot of folks struggling out there financially,” she said. “With school supplies in particular, what that does is it kind of makes kids feel unprepared. There’s a certain level of confidence that you have when you have the tools that you need to start things off.”
While notebooks, binders and pencils may seem like small purchases, Hallquist said they can make a significant difference for families trying to stretch limited budgets.
“For someone who can’t afford them, it’s everything,” she said.
The campaign is partnering once again with The United Arc, which will assist with event logistics and promotion while continuing to serve as one of the agencies that distributes backpacks. Organizers are also coupling the school supply collection with United Way’s diaper drive, allowing residents to donate diapers alongside backpacks and supplies.
“The diapers have become a big thing these days, especially with cuts to programs,” she said. “Any opportunity, any chance we can get to get more diapers in, we’ll do that as well.”
Among the most-needed donations are new backpacks, notebooks, binders, folders, No. 2 pencils, pens and other organizational supplies. Hallquist said while technology has become more common in classrooms, traditional school supplies remain essential.
“Notepads and binders are still really popular for notetaking and organization,” she added. “Writing utensils and things like that are also popular. For younger students, crayons are also really fun.”
The campaign relies on partnerships with five community organizations that help identify families in need and distribute donations throughout Franklin County. Those include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts, the Community Action Family Center and Youth Programs, The United Arc, the Mary Lyon Foundation and The Heartwing Center.
Hallquist said those organizations provide valuable local knowledge and help ensure donations reach the families who need them most.
“We have the tools to gather stuff,” she said, “and they have the tools to really distribute it in a focused and smart way.”
A community drop-off event will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Conference Rooms A and B at Baystate Franklin Medical Center on High Street. Volunteers will greet donors, sort backpacks and prepare supplies for distribution. Refreshments will be available, and representatives from partner agencies will speak about how the donations benefit local children and families.
Hallquist said success goes beyond simply reaching the campaign’s numerical goal.
“The overall perfect event would be every kid in Franklin County has a new backpack,” Hallquist shared. “But if everything gets distributed out in a smooth way, that would be kind of our ideal drive.”
As part of the community effort, donation boxes are available at all 10 of Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s branches until the end of July. Donors are asked to label donated bags by age group, broken up by grades: kindergarten to third grade, grades four and five, and grades six through 12.
“It’s been so rewarding to witness the generosity from our customers and neighbors,” Greenfield Cooperative Bank Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer Jackie Charron said in a statement. “These school supplies will help students start the school year off with the resources they need to thrive, and we’re grateful to be a part of it.”
Community members who cannot attend the Aug. 4 event can still contribute through monetary donations or by purchasing supplies listed on the Blooming Backpacks website. Alternatively, backpacks can be brought to the United Way’s Greenfield office at 51 Davis St., Suite 2, through Monday, Aug. 3, though donors are advised to reach out to program@uw-fh.org in advance for best times to stop by.
While it is not required, those who plan to attend the Aug. 4 collection event can RSVP. To register or for more information, visit uw-fh.org/womensway.
Information about the August diaper drive is available at uw-fh.org/diaper-drive.
