Every child deserves to start the school year feeling prepared and confident. Our Back-to-School Program helps ensure that students from underserved communities have the supplies they need for a successful school year.

Through this initiative, we provide free backpacks filled with essential school supplies—including notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, and more—to ease the financial strain on parents and caregivers. By equipping students with these tools, we aim to support their learning and well-being.

This program is made possible through the generosity of individual donors, volunteers, and the funding from Dolphin Gaming. Together, we work toward educational equity, recognizing that access to learning resources can help reduce barriers and create opportunities for success.

Each year, we see the impact of this initiative reflected in the excitement and gratitude of the students and families we serve. By providing these essential supplies, we strive to empower young learners, reinforcing the idea that education is a powerful force for change.

Low-income families, including newcomers, are eligible to apply for the Back-to-School Program. To request support, email us at getinfo@theextramile.org to begin your application.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this program, applicants must:

• Reside in Toronto, including Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, and East York
• Have school-aged children (JK to Grade 12)
• Belong to a low-income household, including newcomers and refugee families

Backpacks are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are available exclusively to low-income households. Each eligible child may receive one backpack per school year, and a parent or guardian must be present at pickup.

While we do our best to fulfill all requests, supplies are limited based on available funding and donations. We encourage families to apply early to secure support.