Goodwill Delivers 3,000 Backpacks to Area School Children
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut Delivers 3,000 Supply-Filled Backpacks to Students and Families Across Connecticut
(L/R: Patrick Jones, Goodwill, Children from Family Centers in Stamford)
Bridgeport, Conn. (September 30, 2026) – Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut (GWNC) announced today that, between August and September, it delivered 3,000 supply-filled backpacks to students and families across the communities it serves in Connecticut. Delivered in partnership with 12 local organizations, the backpacks helped ensure that children who need them most started the school year confident and equipped to learn.
"Whether it's a student walking into a classroom or an adult walking into a new job, having the right tools makes all the difference.”, said Heather Marquis, CEO, Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut. "At Goodwill, we believe everyone deserves the tools to succeed, whether that's a resume workshop for an adult or a backpack full of supplies for a third grader."
Goodwill’s Backpack Giveback has supported lifelong learning for more than a decade. This year’s Giveback reached communities across Connecticut, including Hartford, Bridgeport, Enfield, Greenwich, Milford, New Canaan, Stamford, and Weston with local partners distributing the backpacks directly to children and families in their communities.
“This effort wouldn’t be possible without the partner organizations who helped us get these supplies directly into the hands of children,” Melissa Kelly, SVP, Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut added. “They know their neighborhoods and families best, and we’re grateful for their partnership.”
Local partners
This year’s Backpack Giveback partner organizations included: Hartford Public Schools, The Lighthouse Program (Town of Bridgeport), Educational Resources for Children Inc. (Enfield), Brookfield Human Services (Town of Brookfield), Greenwich Alliance for Education (Greenwich), Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield (Ridgefield), Family Centers (Stamford), Cesar Batalla School Family Resource Center (Bridgeport), Youth & Family Services, Department of Human Services (Milford), Beth-El Center (Milford), New Canaan Youth and Family Services (New Canaan), Town of Weston Human Services Department (Weston)
To learn more, visit: www.gwct.org.
ABOUT GOODWILL OF WESTERN AND NORTHERN CONNECTICUT
Goodwill is a non-profit organization that helps individuals, businesses, and communities come together to support people with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and other barriers to employment. Last year, Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut (GWNC) helped 1,400 Connecticut residents find work. Donations of goods and revenue generated from store sales power this mission, with more than 90% reinvested into the programs and services strengthening Connecticut families. GWNC is headquartered in Bridgeport, Conn., and has store, donation, and career center locations around the state.