For more than a decade, the United Way of Western Maine Backpack Project has helped children across Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties head back to school prepared for a successful year. By providing backpacks filled with essential, age-appropriate school supplies, the project helps ease the financial burden on families while giving students the tools and confidence they need to learn and thrive.
In August 2026, United Way of Western Maine continued this important community tradition, working toward its goal of providing 2,500 backpacks to local students before the start of the school year. Backpacks were distributed through area schools and community agencies, helping ensure that children throughout the region had access to the supplies they needed.
For many families, the cost of preparing children for a new school year can be a significant financial challenge. With the rising cost of everyday necessities, purchasing backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and other classroom essentials can add additional stress to already stretched household budgets. The Backpack Project helps remove some of these barriers, allowing children to begin the school year feeling prepared, included, and ready to succeed.
The need for this support remains significant. Approximately 17% of children in Androscoggin County, 16.3% in Franklin County, and 19.4% in Oxford County live in poverty. For these students, receiving a backpack filled with school supplies can make a meaningful difference.
“The Backpack Project is about more than providing school supplies,” said Joleen Bedard, President and CEO of United Way of Western Maine. “It is about making sure children in our communities have the opportunity to start the school year with confidence and know that people in their community care about their success. We are incredibly grateful to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who come together each year to make this project possible.”
United Way of Western Maine extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors, donors, volunteers, schools, and community partners whose generosity and hard work help make the Backpack Project a success year after year. Their commitment demonstrates the power of a community coming together to support local children and families.
By investing in students today, we help build stronger communities for tomorrow. United is the way.
To learn more about the Backpack Project or how to support future efforts, visit uwwm.org or contact United Way of Western Maine at 207-795-4000.