For ADRA Canada’s National Program, 2024 has been The Year of the Backpack. Your generous donations have made a tangible difference. All year, we’ve witnessed the power of a backpack filled with hope and basic necessities. From east to west, your support has helped countless people in need all over the country. 

In Ontario, your donations assembled care packages for migrant workers in Orono County. The backpacks held basic hygiene and comfort essentials like deodorant, body wash, warm socks, and more. These items are often inaccessible to migrant workers whose pay and living circumstances put them at a distinct disadvantage despite their vital role in Canada’s seasonal agricultural work. 

In June, ADRA staff and volunteers prepared backpack care packages in Quebec. In just a day, dedicated and passionate church members helped pack 1,000 backpacks – this time full of school supplies for children – to be distributed across 12 different locations in Montreal, Gatineau, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Laval and Saint-Hubert.  

When the wildfires in Jasper, Alberta, began to make headlines, our team anticipated the need for financial assistance and hygiene kits for the roughly 25,000 people who had been forced to evacuate. But human needs, much like a wildfire, can be unpredictable and change unexpectedly. We discovered that the community needed support in ensuring the ongoing educational journeys of 250 children whose lives had been disrupted by the fires. Backpacks were filled with school supplies and essentials and support given to communities in Jasper. 

Your generosity has helped to provide essential support to those in need. As we look towards 2025, we are committed to continuing our mission of compassion and service. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your generosity has filled backpacks with hope and made a positive impact on countless lives. May the backpack remind us of the message we carry and to always be prepared to share with those in need.