Backpack Give Back 2021

Triton College distributed free backpacks during Fourth Annual Backpack Give Back Event
In partnership with West40 ISC #2, the college gave area families free school supplies

Triton College held its fourth annual Backpack Give Back Event, a collaborative effort with West40 ISC #2, and supported by college faculty and staff. Volunteers distributed free backpacks to area families during a drive through event on campus. Over 3,000 backpacks were filled and prepared for distribution before the event.

The college has an ongoing commitment to serving the community. The event and the resource fair helped local students prepare for the start of the academic year. Triton’s educational partners requested essential school supplies, such as notebooks, pens, pencils to be included in the backpacks. In addition to supplies, the bags were filled with information about various community resources.

Faculty, staff and students were among the volunteers on Saturday, Aug. 8. Members of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community college students, also donated time to help with the distribution. The PTK members represented three different local chapters.

The Summer 2021 event was the fourth time the college hosted the backpack giveaway, but the second time it was a “drive-through event,” due to the coronavirus pandemic. Attendees were able to receive backpacks without leaving their vehicles. Volunteers also staffed a resource fair to provide community resource information. Attendees without vehicles were able to receive backpacks in a socially distanced mask-enforced walk-up line.

College administrators and staff continue to adjust and use strategic planning while following the most recent COVID-19 protocols from the state. Administrators and staff want to continue to produce events, such as the Backpack Give Back, that enable the college to assist our community members in the safest way possible.