Send’em Off Smiling – Kitchener-Waterloo Charity Supporting children in need
Send’em Off Smiling is a registered charity in Kitchener-Waterloo dedicated to helping children in need through our impactful back-to-school backpack program
Empowering Local Children since 1994
Founded in 1994, Send’em Off Smiling partners with local schools in Waterloo Region to provide backpacks filled with school supplies and clothing to children from low-income families in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and surrounding communities. In 2024, we proudly celebrated our 30th anniversary, having delivered over 22,000 backpacks to students across the region.
More than just a backpack
Our backpacks are thoughtfully packed with more than just pencils and notebooks—they include new clothing, shoes and other essentials to help children start the school year with confidence. Each backpack is assembled by our amazing team of volunteers, sponsors, and community partners in Kitchener-Waterloo.
- Learn how to sponsor a backpack or become a corporate sponsor in Waterloo region.
- Learn what goes into our Backpacks
- Download our 2024 Newsletter
Our mission: A hopeful start for children in need in Waterloo Region
We aim to set children in need on a more hopeful path by addressing the visible and invisible effects of poverty. In Waterloo Region, 1 in 8 children live below the poverty line. For many, the first day of school highlights this disparity—teachers often report bringing in basic necessities like socks and underwear for students in need.
We work directly with schools in Kitchener-Waterloo schools to make the program available to children within each school. Teachers consistently tell us that our initiative helps bridge the gap between child poverty, learning readiness, and future success.
Get Involved in Your Community
Whether you’re an individual, a business, or a school in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, there are many ways to support our mission:
Charity Details
Registered Charity # 82922 7883 RR0001.
P.O. Box 333, Kitchener Ontario, N2G 3Y9