Community Generosity Shines in Back-to-School Drive

The new school year should be filled with excitement, fresh supplies, and the confidence to succeed — but for many children and families in our region, access to basic resources can be a real challenge. This August, Amherst Innovative Living partnered with United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region (UWFH) to help support local students and families through a community backpack drive benefiting Amherst Regional Public Schools.

We invited residents across our communities to make a difference by donating brand-new backpacks for children in need.

🎒 Backpacks were dropped off in residential community lobby bins
⏰ Deadline: Monday, August 12 by 5 PM
📦 Distribution: August 14–15

Why It Mattered

United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region works in partnership with the community to identify and address our region’s most pressing issues. Their vision is a future where all individuals and families have equitable access to the tools and resources needed to meet basic needs and build long-term success.

By contributing to this drive, our residents helped advance that mission—supporting equity, dignity, and opportunity for students who may otherwise start the school year without essential supplies. A simple backpack can make a meaningful difference in a child’s confidence, readiness to learn, and sense of belonging.

About United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region

UWFH is an independent local nonprofit serving Hampshire and Franklin Counties. Guided by values of equity, human dignity, collaboration, accountability, and curiosity, they work with community partners to invest in effective solutions that strengthen our region.

Through a volunteer-led community investment process, UWFH evaluates local needs and strategically funds programs that address multiple aspects of the same challenge—helping create lasting, systemic impact. Their work is supported by workplace giving, individual donors, corporate partners, and select public and foundation funding.

As a licensed affiliate of United Way Worldwide, UWFH operates under a strict code of ethics and non-discrimination, ensuring transparency and accountability in everything they do.

The Bigger Impact

Giving through United Way allows donors to take a holistic approach to community support—one gift helping fuel multiple programs and services across the region. By partnering with UWFH, this backpack drive became part of a broader effort to ensure children and families have what they need not just for the school year, but for future success.

Thank You for Showing Up

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated and helped make this drive possible. Together, we supported a stronger, more inclusive community—one backpack, one student, and one act of generosity at a time.