CAMDEN — It’s that time of year again and West Bay Rotary’s Backpack Program is back for the 2025-26 school year.

Rotarian Barbara Heard started the Backpack Program in 2012 and continues to be its driving force. Along the way, she approached LL Bean, who generously supports the program, this year with a donation of 90 new backpacks. For the past three years, both Reny’s and Walmart have donated gift cards for the purchase of school supplies. And Barbara’s fellow West Bay Rotarians, other community members, and personal friends also donate to the program each year.

Each year, Barbara contacts the schools in the Five Town area as well as Homeworthy, New Hope, the Landing Place, and various food pantries to identify students who need the supplies, which depending on the age of the children, may include crayons, pencils, three- ring binders, paper, notebooks, folders, calculators, and more.

“I’m excited to see this program come into its own,” said Barbara, “because there’s no shortage of students in need. With more financial donations from community members, we look forward to being able to continue this much needed program.”

To support West Bay Rotary’s 2025 Backpack Program, send your check before August 10 to West Bay Rotary, P.O. Box 1033, Camden, ME 04843. Please note on the check that the donation is for the “Backpack Program.”

West Bay Rotary is celebrating its 40th year of “service above self” here in the Midcoast. Throughout the year, the club undertakes dozens of community projects as well as fundraising (and “fun-raising”) events. Meetings are held every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. in the Community Room at the Congregational Church in Camden. All are welcome. For more information, go to www.WestBayRotaryOfMaine.org.