BRANTFORD, ON – Hundreds of Brantford children will head back to school this September with brand-new supplies, thanks to a donation from the City of Barrie.
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall visited Brantford City Hall on Friday to deliver 750 backpacks filled with essential school items for local families facing financial hardship. He was welcomed by Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis and staff from the city’s Community Services and Social Development department, who will oversee the distribution of the backpacks.
“We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Nuttall and the City of Barrie for this meaningful contribution,” said Mayor Davis. “This act of generosity will have a lasting impact on hundreds of children and youth in our community. In times of challenge and uncertainty, the importance of municipalities supporting one another is brought into sharper focus, and this is a powerful example of what can be achieved when we work together to support one another.”
Community Impact
The backpacks were provided through PIE Education, a non-profit initiative co-founded by Mayor Nuttall. Since its launch in 2010, PIE Education has distributed more than 27,500 backpacks to students in communities across Ontario, including Barrie, Simcoe County, Muskoka, Ottawa, and Sudbury.
The organization’s mission is simple: ensure students start the school year with confidence and dignity. For families struggling with the rising costs of food, rent, and other necessities, back-to-school shopping can be a financial burden. Programs like PIE Education aim to ease that strain.
“Back-to-school season should be filled with excitement and opportunity but for too many kids, it begins with uncertainty,” said Mayor Nuttall. “This year, we’re proud to expand our backpack program into Brantford, helping even more students start the year with confidence. Thanks to the incredible support of Mayor Davis and our community partners, we’re putting more backpacks on kids’ backs and we’re making sure every child has the tools they need to succeed.”
A Growing Network of Support
PIE Education has attracted high-profile support in recent years. In 2023, the program partnered with Toronto Maple Leafs alternate captain John Tavares and the John Tavares Foundation to deliver backpacks to children living in government housing in Rexdale, Toronto. The involvement of professional athletes has helped bring visibility to the campaign, strengthening its impact and reach.
Nuttall emphasized that partnerships with municipalities like Brantford are a natural extension of PIE Education’s goals. “When communities work together, we can amplify our impact,” he said. “Every backpack represents not just school supplies, but hope, opportunity, and the chance for a brighter future.”
Meeting Local Needs
The backpacks will be distributed by Brantford’s Community Services and Social Development staff, who work directly with families experiencing financial hardship. The program is timed to align with back-to-school preparations, ensuring students have supplies in hand before classes begin.
City officials say the demand for such assistance has been growing. Rising inflation, housing challenges, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have left many families in difficult financial situations. Contributions from outside organizations are helping municipalities close the gap.
Looking Ahead
While PIE Education has already made a significant mark across Ontario, the organization shows no signs of slowing down. With support from community partners and public figures, its reach is expected to continue expanding in the coming years.
For Brantford, the initiative represents more than just material assistance—it is a reminder of the power of inter-municipal cooperation. “This is about building bridges between communities,” said Davis. “When one city steps forward to help another, the benefits are felt by families, children, and the community as a whole.”
Families in Brantford can expect details on how to access the backpacks in the coming weeks. For more information on PIE Education and its programs, visit www.pieeducation.ca.