500 Backpacks Provided to JFS Through 4th Annual Backpack Bonanza

For the fourth year in a row, 13-year old Hannah Kutnick organized her annual “Backpack Bonanza,” a drive to generate donations for back-to-school backpacks and school supplies for at-risk children. Whether kids are learning at home or in-person, they will have the supplies they need because of Hannah’s kindness. She collected donations from friends and family via social media to purchase supplies and then gathered her friends and family--outside, masked, and at a safe distance--to load the backpacks.

This year Hannah raised $4,500 and filled 500 backpacks to donate to Jewish Family Service (JFS). She has raised a total of $12,600 over four years! “I didn’t expect people to be able to give so much this year because of the pandemic,” Hannah says. “I was amazed and inspired by the generosity of our friends and family.” Hannah and her family helped distribute the backpacks to families at the JFS food pantry through a contactless drive-up system.

Hannah and her family also shared these 5 lessons learned from collecting and donating 500 backpacks:

1. You’re never too young (or old) to make a difference. Even her younger brothers donated their own money.

2. It takes a village! It is our friends’ and family’s generosity that helps inspire her to do this year after year.

3. Fiscal responsibility and budgeting are keys to success, especially when you are entrusted with other people’s money.

4. Quality matters - we buy products we would be happy to receive.

5. When a task feels overwhelming, stay focused on the goal...break it down into smaller pieces. And it’s okay to ask for help.