The province of Quebec has launched an effort to deliver school supply kits to 12,000 students identified as lacking essential materials. The operation, known as Opération sac à dos, began in August 2026 and is coordinated by the nonprofit Regroupement Partage.
Anne-Marie Éthier, a spokesperson for Regroupement Partage, explained that the program will distribute backpacks filled with items such as notebooks, pencils, and other classroom necessities. The goal is to ensure that every child receiving a kit can start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.
The distribution is being carried out across multiple regions of Quebec, with local partners helping to identify families in need. Sean Henry of CBC Montreal Daybreak reported on the rollout, noting that volunteers are assembling the kits in community centers before they are handed out at schools and neighborhood hubs.
Organizers say the initiative responds to a persistent gap in access to basic school supplies, particularly in lower‑income neighborhoods. By targeting 12,000 students, the program aims to reduce the number of children who would otherwise begin classes without the materials required for daily lessons.
Regroupement Partage plans to monitor the impact of the backpacks throughout the first term, gathering feedback from educators and families to gauge whether the supplies meet classroom demands. The organization hopes the effort will serve as a model for similar campaigns in other provinces.
As the new school year approaches, the Opération sac à dos distribution underscores a coordinated community response to educational inequities, providing immediate assistance to thousands of Quebec students before classes commence.