United Way of Bruce Grey

Service: Backpack Program - 211 I&R Procedures and Information, United Way of Bruce Grey

Record #: CWD6442
Last Modified: 05 Dec 2023
Last Full Update: 09 Mar 2023

Description

Description (Service) For large agency requests, call the United Way office directly

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 who live at or below the poverty line whose families cannot afford new school supplies
  • public program record is GRE0088
Backpack Intake for 2023 will run Jun 12, 2023 to 8:30 am, Aug 18, 2023
  • after 8:30 am, Aug 18, 2023, 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 and income. 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

Prescreen for financial eligibility:
  • people receiving OW or ODSP qualify immediately
  • for people with employment income, use Income Eligibility as a guideline
  • 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, contact United Way directly for intake.

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

Google Doc: 2023 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).

Families in Owen Sound will be able to pick up their backpacks at the Old Sydenham School, 1130 8th St E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1M7 - look for the United Way tent. Face masks are mandatory.

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 18, 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

Service Details

Hours 2-1-1 Program Intake hours: Mon-Sun 24 hours
Registration dates: Jun 14, 2023 to 8:30 am, Aug 18, 2023 - For requests after this date, call United Way directly.
United Way office hours: Mon-Thu 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Fri 8:30 am-3:30 pm

Pickup time and dates: will be released in early August
Areas Served Bruce County ; Grey County
Eligibility Low-income families with school-age children, refer to income eligibility linked in description. 
 
 
 
There is no income criteria for this program. All are welcome to apply.
Application Contact 2-1-1 to apply
Languages English
Fees None

Address and Location

Located In Community Owen Sound
Address & Map
380 9th St E
Owen Sound, ON
Canada N4K 1P1
Physical Access Not Accessible - No elevator. Ring bell at front door and staff will come downstairs

Contact Information

Office Phone 519-376-1560, United Way Office
Toll Free Phone 1-800-794-1728, United Way Office
E-Mail backpacks@unitedwaybg.com
Website https://unitedwayofbrucegrey.com/services-offered/backpack-program
Mailing Address 380 9th St E 
Owen Sound, ON 
Canada N4K 1P1

Agency Overview

Locations for this Service