CINCINNATI (Aug. 25, 2026) – More than 4,000 students recently went back to school wearing new backpacks filled with supplies thanks to United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Backpacks for Success project. The combined value of backpacks and supplies surpassed $120,000. Most were distributed throughout August during events hosted by community partners.
“I had the joy of helping distribute backpacks at several community events this year, and there’s something incredibly special about seeing a child choose a backpack of their own and get excited about the school year ahead,” said Moira Weir, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati. “We’re grateful to the workplaces, individuals and community organizations who joined us to make those moments possible. This is collective impact in action — each of us contributing what we can so children across our region have more opportunities to thrive.”
United Way also provided more than 1,000 books to students thanks to a partnership with The Christ Hospital Health Network and the Joseph-Beth Gift Shop.
Items collected through Backpacks for Success were distributed in the following communities:
- Aurora
- Avondale
- Bond Hill
- Cheviot
- College Hill
- Covington
- East Westwood
- Evendale
- Georgetown
- Kennedy Heights
- Lincoln Heights
- Mt. Healthy
- North Fairmount
- Northside
- Over-the-Rhine
- Price Hill
- The Villages at Roll Hill
- Walnut Hills
- West Clermont
- Westwood
Special thanks to community partners who hosted back-to-school distribution events: Corinthian Baptist Church (in collaboration with Shiloh Seventh-Day Adventist, New Prospect Baptist Church, Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and Zion Baptist Church), Guiding Light Mentoring, La Viña Church and Legacy Pointe Church.
Many of the back-to-school events provided critical services and support, including health screenings, personal care items and school shoes and uniforms.
United Way appreciates the generous workplaces that participated in Backpacks for Success:
- Arbor Homes
- Bahl & Gaynor
- Big Orange Marketing
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- Curiosity Advertising
- DHL CVG Gateway
- Duke Energy
- FC Cincinnati
- Fifth Third Bank
- First Financial Bank
- Fund Evaluation Group
- GE Aerospace
- Grant Thornton LLP
- Horan
- Michelman
- Oswald Companies
- Paycor
- Procter & Gamble
- The Kroger Co.
- Thompson Hine LLP
- UC Health
- Varland Plating
- Viking Partners
