Boone County families can pick up a free backpack stuffed with grade-appropriate school supplies Aug. 8, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare's Covington campus, no pre-registration required.
The Backpacks Bonanza, organized by the nonprofit Northern Kentucky Harvest, runs from 9 a.m. to noon in the hospital parking lot at 1500 James Simpson Jr. Way. More than 500 backpacks will be handed out first-come, first-served to students from preschool through 12th grade. Public, private and home-schooled students are all eligible.
The event lands 11 days before Boone County Schools opens for the 2026–27 year on Aug. 19.
What to bring
Parents or guardians need three things: a photo ID for themselves, a Social Security card or medical card for each child, and proof of address such as a recent bill or lease.
26 years and counting
Northern Kentucky Harvest expects to distribute at least 1,165 backpacks to low-income families this year, according to the NKY Tribune. About half have already gone out through partner organizations including Welcome House, Brighton Center, Fiesta, the Lincoln-Grant Scholar House and Be Concerned. The remaining 500-plus will be available Saturday.
This is the 26th year for the event, formerly called Backpacks & Breakfast.
"Our project gives them one less need — new backpacks filled with school supplies — to worry about," Paul Gottbrath, president of Northern Kentucky Harvest, told the NKY Tribune.
The need is real. The National Retail Federation pegs the average cost of basic school supplies at $146.45 per child this year, up about 7.7% from last year. Add clothing, shoes and required technology and the total climbs to $611, according to a Harris Poll survey.
Coming up
- Saturday, Aug. 15 — Faded Laces Back 2 School Event, noon–4 p.m., Idlewild Park, 5550 Idlewild Road, Burlington. Free haircuts, school supplies and a sneaker raffle. More details in our back-to-school resources roundup.
- Wednesday, Aug. 19 — First day of school, Boone County Schools.
