Northern Kentucky’s largest and longest continuously held school readiness event is set for this Saturday, Aug. 8, in the parking lot at St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s Covington campus at 1500 James Simpson Jr. Way.
The Backpacks Bonanza, formerly Backpacks & Breakfast, will run from 9 a.m-noon.
No pre-registration is necessary for the event. Backpacks stuffed with grade-appropriate school supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The give-away is open to students from pre-school to 12th grade from across Northern Kentucky.
Students in public and private schools in the region are welcome, as are home-schooled youngsters.
Parents or guardians participating in the event should bring photo I.Ds for themselves, Social Security or medical cards for their children and proof of address – a recent bill or a lease, for example.
Bonanza organizers expect the 2026 project to provide at least 1,165 backpacks to low-income families. About half have already been distributed through Harvest partners – including Welcome House, Brighton Center, Fiesta, the Lincoln-Grant Scholar House and Be Concerned – to share with families they are helping.
The rest will be given out on Saturday.
Papa Johns, food sponsor of the event, will provide free pizza.
According to the National Retail Federation, the cost of basic school supplies this year averages $146.45 per child – up about 7.7 percent from last year. Adding new clothing, shoes and required technology increases the total to $611, according to an online survey conducted by The Harris Poll.
“The reality is that families already struggling to pay for food, shelter, clothing and other necessities for their kids often find it difficult to accommodate back-to-school expenses,” said Paul Gottbrath, president of the non-profit Northern Kentucky Harvest. “Our project gives them one less need – new backpacks filled with school supplies – to worry about.”
The Backpacks Bonanza is made possible by the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations, churches, clubs and other organizations. Among supporters are the Butler Foundation, the R.C. Durr Foundation, the Duke Energy Foundation, the Covington Rotary Foundation, the Western & Southern Financial Group, the Scripps Howard Fund, SofaGives, the Cincinnati Kolping Society, and St. Pius X Catholic Church.
In-kind support is provided through school supply drives by St. Timothy Church and St. Joseph Church, Cold Spring, and Cincinnati Internal Revenue Service Center, and employees of Florence and Covington. Logistical support is provided by Be Concerned.