Backpack Challenge
Help provide local students with new backpacks and the school supplies they need to begin the year confident, prepared and ready to learn.
A new backpack is more than a place to carry pencils and notebooks. It helps a child walk into school feeling prepared, included and ready for the year ahead.
Why this campaign matters
The beginning of a school year brings excitement, but it can also create real financial pressure for families already struggling to cover food, housing, transportation and other household costs.
CSL’s Backpack Challenge helps ease that pressure by providing students with backpacks and essential school supplies. Every gift moves the campaign closer to ensuring that no participating child begins the year without the tools they need.
What your support makes possible
Donations help CSL purchase backpacks, notebooks, folders, pencils, markers and other grade-appropriate supplies. Community support also helps CSL coordinate distributions across Eastern Jackson County.
Gifts of every size matter. When neighbors, businesses, congregations and community partners give together, hundreds of individual donations become thousands of prepared students.
“Having everything ready before the first day allowed my child to feel excited about school instead of worried about what we could not afford.”CSL parent
Help us reach the goal
The campaign will remain open until the fundraising goal is met or the annual backpack distributions are complete. Gifts received beyond the stated goal may support additional school supplies or related CSL services for local families.
Every donation moves the campaign forward.
Use these amounts as examples of what campaign gifts can help provide. Adjust the amounts and descriptions for each campaign.
Essential School Supplies
Can help provide notebooks, folders, pencils and other classroom essentials for one student.
A Filled Backpack
Can help provide a new backpack filled with grade-appropriate supplies for a local child.
Support for Several Students
Can help prepare multiple students to begin the school year with the tools they need.
Your gift can go twice as far.
For a limited time, gifts to this campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to the available matching amount, thanks to the generosity of our campaign partner.
See how the campaign is progressing.
Share milestones, matching-gift announcements, distribution updates and final impact with campaign supporters.
2026
We passed the halfway point.
Thanks to generous campaign supporters, more than half of the fundraising goal has now been reached. Every new gift brings us closer to preparing all participating students for school.
2026
Our matching gift is now active.
A community partner has offered to match campaign donations for a limited time. Gifts made during the match period will have twice the impact until the available match is fulfilled.
2026
The Backpack Challenge is underway.
The campaign has officially launched. CSL staff and volunteers are already preparing supplies and planning distributions across Eastern Jackson County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adjust these questions for the specific campaign and donation process.
How will my campaign gift be used?
Gifts will support the costs connected with this campaign, including materials, supplies, distribution and other reasonable program expenses. Gifts received beyond the campaign goal may be used for related CSL services or the area of greatest need.
Can I give a different amount?
Yes. The impact amounts shown are examples. You may choose any donation amount that is meaningful and manageable for you.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Charitable gifts to Community Services League may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Keep your donation acknowledgment for your records and consult a qualified tax professional regarding your circumstances.
What happens if the campaign exceeds its goal?
Additional funds may allow CSL to serve more people, strengthen the campaign’s impact or support related programs and urgent community needs.
Can my business or group support the campaign?
Yes. Businesses, congregations, schools and community groups may give, sponsor the campaign, organize a collection or volunteer. Contact CSL to discuss partnership opportunities.
Who can I contact with questions?
Call CSL at 816-254-4100 or email info@cslcares.org for help with a donation, sponsorship, campaign partnership or other question.
Explore other CSL campaigns.
Give to another current need or support CSL wherever your gift can make the greatest difference.
Help this campaign reach its goal.
Our community made this possible.
Your gift will move the campaign forward and help provide practical support for neighbors across Eastern Jackson County.
Thank you to every donor, volunteer and community partner who helped fully fund this campaign.