A promotional image featuring eight people—adults and children—standing in a parking lot in front of a school bus. They are positioned behind a white banner that says "Backpack Distribution Today" with a backpack graphic. A blue-tinted overlay covers the image with large white text centered that says "Backpacks for Kids Returns in 2026." The top left corner features a circular logo with purple, green, and blue segments.

Livingston ESA Launches 25th Annual Backpacks for Kids Project

Livingston ESA

May 19, 2026

Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA) is proud to announce the 25th Annual Backpacks for Kids Project, a community initiative dedicated to providing free school supplies and backpacks to Livingston County students whose families may be experiencing financial hardship.

This year marks a major milestone as the program celebrates 25 years of helping ensure local students begin the school prepared and ready to succeed. What began as a small community drive has grown into a countywide effort that annually supports more than 1,000 students from preschool through 12th grade.

"This project continues to thrive because of the incredible generosity of our local community," said Robin Schutz, one of the event's organizers. "Each backpack filled represents support, encouragement, and opportunity for a student in Livingston County."

Community members are encouraged to donate backpacks, school supplies, or monetary contributions to help meet this year's goal of distributing 1,000 fully stocked backpacks.

One of the project's signature events, the annual Stuff the Bus drive, will take place on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Howell Walmart. A Livingston ESA school bus will be parked outside the store, where shoppers can donate school supplies or backpacks while completing their own shopping.

Donations for the 2026 Backpacks for Kids Project will be accepted through July 30, 2026 at the Livingston ESA Education Center, located at 1425 W. Grand River Ave., Howell, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Additional drop-off locations and more information can be found on the Backpacks for Kids webpage.

The annual backpack distribution event will once again be held as a drive-through event on August 6, 2026 at each of the five Livingston County school districts.

More information, including additional donation locations and sponsorship opportunities, will be available soon and can also be found at: https://www.livingstonesa.org/page/backpacks-for-kids

Ways to Support the Backpacks for Kids Project:

  • Donate backpacks, school supplies, or monetary contributions at designated drop-off sites.

  • Make a monetary donation online at http://bit.ly/4djcDSV

  • Attend the Stuff the Bus event on July 31 at Howell Walmart

  • Become a sponsor or a golfer for the Backpacks for Kids charity golf outing

  • Share information about the project with friends, family, and community members

Requested Donation Items:

  • Sturdy backpacks (no logos preferred)

  • Highlighters (2 ct.)

  • Markers (10 ct.)

  • Spiral notebooks

  • Pencils (12 ct.)

  • Pencil boxes or zippered pencil bags

  • Glue sticks (2 ct.)

  • Pens, blue or black (10 ct.)

  • Children's scissors

  • Colored pencils (12 ct.)

  • Loose-leaf notebook paper

  • Two-pocket folders (Duo-Tang or similar)

  • Pink erasers (2 ct.)

  • Rulers

  • Crayons (24 ct.)