Community

Oshawa Credit Union Drive Raises Over $2,000 for Student Backpacks

An OCCU collection raised more than $2,000 in cash and supplies for local students through Operation Backpack and Simcoe Hall.

by Milan September 11, 2026 in Community , Education , News

An Oshawa Community Credit Union collection raised more than $2,000 in cash and supplies for local students through the Operation Backpack program.

OCCU reported the result in its September 11 member newsletter. The combined contribution included $800 in cash donations as well as backpacks, school supplies and snacks collected at the branch.

The credit union said the donations were delivered to Simcoe Hall Settlement House to help young people begin the school year with the supplies they need.

Community effort supports Durham students

Operation Backpack brings Durham organizations and community donors together to provide students with backpacks and grade-appropriate school supplies. The 2026 campaign involved six local organizations: Durham Children’s Aid Foundation, Durham Community Health Centre, Ignite Durham Learning Foundation, Simcoe Hall Settlement House, St. Andrew’s Community Food Bank and United Way of Durham Region.

The program’s official campaign page says more than 6,000 backpacks were distributed across Durham Region last year. Organizers aimed to reach even more children this year as families continued to face rising back-to-school costs.

Simcoe Hall says its annual Backpack Program serves students from junior kindergarten through Grade 12. Donated backpacks can include items such as binders, refill paper, notebooks, report covers, pencil crayons, pens, pencils and rulers, matched to a student’s grade level.

OCCU thanks local donors

OCCU thanked everyone who contributed money or supplies through its branch collection. The credit union said the final total reflected the generosity of members and residents who wanted local students to start the year prepared and confident.

The branch result follows the broader summer collection covered earlier by All About Durham. Residents can read our Operation Backpack donation guide for background on the regional partnership.

Although the main 2026 back-to-school collection has concluded, Simcoe Hall and Ignite Durham Learning Foundation continue to provide information about student-support programs and future ways to help.