OGDEN — Helping children succeed in school is the goal of the annual Backpack Bonanza program run by Catholic Community Services of Utah.“Backpack Bonanza helps ensure that children begin the school year with the supplies they need to be successful,” said Randy Chappell, CCS Basic needs director.
Members of the community donate new backpacks and school supplies, which CCS then distributes to children in need. These days many families face financial challenges, and purchasing school supplies can be a burden, Chappell said. 
“This program helps alleviate that stress and allows students to start the year prepared, confident and ready to learn,” he said.
Backpack Bonanza has been running for more than a decade, and “over the years, thousands of students have received backpacks and school supplies through the program,” Chappell said.
Each year, CCS serves about 600 school-aged children from kindergarten to high school seniors.
“These children either attend Weber School District schools or Ogden School District schools,” Chappell said. They also belong to families that visit the CCS Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank in Ogden, which is the largest food pantry in northern Utah. It serves people who are below 185 percent of the poverty level.
With proper school supplies, students can “focus on learning rather than worrying about what they may be missing,” Chappell said. “It helps them feel included, boosts their confidence, and gives them a stronger start to the school year.”
When children arrive prepared at school, “they are better positioned to engage in the classroom and take advantage of educational opportunities,” he added. 
Among the items that people can donate to the program are notebooks, pencils, pens, folders, crayons, markers and glue sticks, but “backpacks are always among the most critical need,” Chappell said. 
The program is made possible through the generosity of individuals and businesses in the community who come together each year to support local children, Chappell said. 
“The program demonstrates how a community can make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families through a relatively simple act of kindness,” he added. “By ensuring children have the tools they need to learn, we are helping build a stronger future for our entire community.”
Donations can be dropped off at 2504 F Ave. in Ogden weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. until July 31. They also can be dropped off at United Way of Northern Utah, 2955 Harrison Blvd. #201 in Ogden weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The most needed items for the Backpack Bonanza are

• Monetary donations
• Backpacks
• Binders
• Folders
• Pencil boxes
• Paper
• Notebooks
• Colored pencils
• Glue sticks
• Markers
• Crayons
• Highlighters
• Rulers
• Scissors

Items are placed in a backpack and distributed to students through CCS' Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank.