Catholic Charities’ Auburn Office Collects School Supplies After Grant Cut

backpacks
Written By Nicole Kurut

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (July 15 ,2025) – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend’s (CCFWSB) Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is hosting the Pack-A-Backpack Drive in DeKalb, Noble, LaGrange, and Steuben counties.

Each year, the RSVP program hands out over 300 backpacks filled with new school supplies to struggling families. After not receiving the annual grant for the program, CCFWSB decided to turn to the community for support. Running from now to July 30 will be placing blue donation barrels at local businesses and churches for the collection. 

“This program means so much to Catholic Charities and the RSVP participants who handout the backpacks each year,” said Aaron Roberts, Associate Director of Catholic Charities’ North Region office. “We love the smiles on students faces, knowing the backpacks help them feel prepared and confident for the school year. We don’t want this year to be any different, so we are calling on the community to chip in to ensure students start this school year on the right foot.”

 

Collection Items:

  • Backpacks

  • Binder(s)

  • Clorox Wipes

  • Colored Pencils

  • Crayons

  • Dry Erase Marker(s)

  • Erasers

  • Glue Bottle(s)

  • Glue Stick(s)

  • Highlighters

  • Loose Leaf Paper

  • Markers

  • Notebooks

  • Pencil Pouch

  • Pencils

  • Pens

  • Scissors

For a full list of donation barrel locations, please visit www.ccfwsb.org/event/pack-a-backpack or drop items off at Catholic Charities office located at 107 W 5th St., Auburn IN, 46706. 

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Nicole Kurut
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