Image by: Sophia Lin and Abha Thapaliya
Each August, National Back to School Month shines a spotlight on the start of a new academic year—a time filled with excitement and fresh beginnings. Across the country, generous organizations step in to help: in 2024, Volunteers of America provided 45,000 backpacks nationwide, while in 2022, The Salvation Army distributed 4,200 in Colorado.
These efforts are vital—but for many students, a backpack isn’t enough.
To meet these urgent needs, we created an Educational Endowment Fund to fill the gap that backpacks can’t. We provide emergency cash assistance to students of all ages—from K–12 through college—facing sudden financial crises. Unlike seasonal programs, our support isn’t limited to August—we are here year-round, because financial hardship doesn’t follow a school calendar.
A Hidden Crisis: When Basic Needs Stand in the Way of Learning
For families already navigating economic hardship, back-to-school expenses—whether for school supplies, clothing, laptops, meal plans, or transit—can become insurmountable.
These barriers don’t just affect academic performance; they also take a toll on mental health, retention, and self-worth—especially for first-generation college students, single parents pursuing their education, or those balancing school with part-time work and caregiving responsibilities. In my own teaching experience last year, I had a bright student who began the class with strong engagement but gradually became absent more often. When I reached out to check in, I learned she was discontinuing her education at the school due to financial hardship brought on by a family situation.
Our Mission: Stability First
Understanding these necessities, we have created an Educational Endowment Fund to fill the gap that backpacks can’t.
We provide emergency cash assistance to students of all ages—from K–12 through college—who are experiencing sudden financial crises to cover urgent short-term needs.
Unlike many seasonal programs, our assistance isn’t limited to August—we support students throughout the year, because financial distress doesn’t follow the school calendar.
Why Our Approach Is Different
While school supply drives prepare students for day one, our goal is to help students make it to graduation. We focus on long-term educational stability by stepping in when students might otherwise drop out, fall behind, or give up.
This kind of targeted, emergency support allows students to stay focused on their education—and ultimately, on building a better future for themselves and their families.
Join Us in Creating Real Impact
This Back to School Month, we invite you to support students in a different way and donate to our educational endowment fund.
This school year, let’s go beyond the backpack—and help students stay steady, supported, and on the path to success.
Donate to our Educational Endowment Fund
Written by Jyoti Thapaliya, PhD, Administrative Director, Source of Life Ministry International, Inc.
