Matters that Matter: Local pantries providing school supplies to kids in need
-
- Joan Woodcock, an employee of Alpine School District, and Kurt Fisk, of Tabitha’s Way, hold up three of the 800 backpacks filled school supplies that were provided by Tabitha’s Way donors to Alpine School District on July 23, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Tabitha’s Way)
-
- Volunteers assemble backpacks with school supplies to be given to students whose families are struggling financially. (Photo courtesy of Tabitha’s Way)
-
- Laura Giles
Photo courtesy of Tabitha's Way
Joan Woodcock, an employee of Alpine School District, and Kurt Fisk, of Tabitha's Way, hold up three of the 800 backpacks filled school supplies that were provided by Tabitha's Way donors to Alpine School District on July 23, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Tabitha's Way)
It’s not time for school to start yet, but many people have been helping prepare kids to go back to school for quite some time. In fact, months ago, during the Christmas season, donations began coming in for backpacks and school supplies for children in need in Utah County. Those donations came through the Light the World Giving Machines.
The Giving Machines are placed globally by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are basically vending machines for good. One hundred percent of the donations go to the various charities and organizations that are sponsored in the Giving Machines. People can choose to donate to a variety of causes. One of those is Tabitha’s Way Local Food Pantry.
“The Giving Machines are a ‘twice blessing,'” said Mike Carter, one of Tabitha’s Way’s founders. “Not only are the children who receive the backpacks blessed, those who purchased backpacks out of the Giving Machines also receive the blessings of being a donor.”
Each year, Tabitha’s Way provides backpacks with school supplies to children whose families may not be able to afford them. Between its three locations — Pleasant Grove, Saratoga Springs and Spanish Fork — 3,700 backpacks will be given away this year.
The backpacks are given out in a variety of ways. About 800 are given to Alpine School District to give to students who need them. Clients of the food pantries will be given 1,700 of the backpacks. The Spanish Fork pantry will give 1,200 away at an event on Aug. 1 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Landmark High School.
Photo courtesy of Tabitha's Way
Volunteers assemble backpacks with school supplies to be given to students whose families are struggling financially. (Photo courtesy of Tabitha's Way)
The backpacks with supplies are assembled each year by volunteers. This year, the Spanish Fork Rotary Club and the Pleasant Grove Police Cadets (high school students who are learning about police work) helped assemble the backpacks. Other volunteers helped as well.
The many donors and volunteers that help make this yearly tradition happen are doing so much good for students. The beginning of a school year is very expensive for families. If they are already struggling to pay bills and put food on the table, buying backpacks may seem impossible.
While schools may supply students with needed items, such as pencils and crayons, many students do not have these items at home. Doing homework or special projects or just drawing and writing for fun at home is very difficult without the necessary supplies. Teachers often hear students say they have no pencils, crayons or even paper at home. The yearly backpacks with supplies help solve this problem for the hundreds of students who benefit from them.
If any individual or organization would like to donate school supplies, food or funds or volunteer their time, check out tabithasway.org to learn more about how you can assist one of the three Utah County Tabitha’s Way pantries. Helping children and families is definitely a matter that matters.
Laura Giles
