A Precious Child collects new backpacks and school supplies for children in the most need in the community. Backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies are distributed to children through our Resource Center as well as our agency partners which include schools, human services organizations, at-risk youth centers, homeless shelters and foster care organizations.

We collect new backpacks, school supplies and monetary donations through drives hosted by individuals, organizations and businesses as well as through the Fill A Backpack Corporate and Community Challenges.

The Fill A Backpack program ensures underprivileged children get to start the first day of school feeling confident and prepared to succeed academically.

COVID-19 Impact

A Precious Child’s need for Fill A Backpack donations has grown this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re adopting virtual donation options in order to provide a safe experience for all of our donors to continue to be involved in supporting children with their needed supplies. Our goal is to give children a sense of normalcy and to be on the same footing as their peers by providing them with these necessary supplies. With school ending so abruptly this past year, creating a solid foundation for the new school year is more important than ever.

Children living in poverty face many challenges and tremendous stigmatization. Showing up on the first day of school without the proper tools can make a child look and feel different from their classmates which can be both embarrassing and stressful.

Each year, the school supply lists grows and families in need struggle to find a way to ensure their children have the necessary supplies required by the school.

In 2019, 40.7% of all Colorado students, 379,563 children, qualified for the Free and Reduced Lunch program (Colorado Children’s Campaign). With the average parent spending $117 on standard classroom supplies each year (National Retail Federation), it is no surprise that many struggling families simply cannot afford the expense of school supplies for their children.

By providing children in need with brand new backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies, A Precious Child ensures that children in need can show up to school ready to start the new school year on the same level as their peers and excited to learn.

Started in 2016, our annual Fill A Backpack Challenge brings together corporations, chambers and local community groups around the common goal of ensuring Colorado children in need go to school each year with the tools they need to excel academically.

2019 Challenge Winners

Corporate Challenge Winner: GHX
Community Challenge Winner: Trinity United Methodist Church