Let's help children in need as they head to school

Across our city, well over 100,000 children will attend a primary school this year. Far too many will start the year on the back foot, without the resources they need to learn and flourish. Sadly, that creates consequences for a child’s future.

There is hope! You and your church can be part of the solution.

You can bless and serve your local primary school so that children have the resources they need to flourish.

We’re partnering with Back2School Project, a local Christian-led charity providing fully stocked school bags for primary school children in need on day one of school. Back2School Project are experts at school stationery.

Get involved

Volunteer during Packing Week

Before the school year starts, volunteers are needed to pack and distribute several hundred school bags to Auckland primary schools. Packing Week is a great way to help children in need. It's a high-energy and fun event.

Dates: 19 - 23 January and 27 - 30 January 2026

Location: Mitre10, Lincoln Road, Henderson

Register here

Sponsor a child

$100 will provide a child with a fully stocked school bag.

The child will choose their own bag from a catalogue, and receive it fully stocked prior to day one.

This gives them the dignity & resources to learn alongside their classmates from day one.

Donate here

Your church on local mission

We believe your church is the hope of your community! If you want to bless and serve your local primary school, we’d love to help.

Whether or not you already have a relationship with the school, let’s work together with Back2School Project to help children flourish.

Express your interest

FAQs

  • A Christian-led registered charity with a vision to see connected and thriving communities across Auckland. They work in partnership with Auckland primary schools to provide fully stocked school bags for children on day one.

  • Your local primary school will almost certainly have families who can’t afford a fully stocked school bag. Your church can bless these families, giving their children the dignity to start the school year with the resources they need to learn and flourish. Your church can then build on your existing relationship with your local primary school; or start a relationship this way.

  • Initiating relationship with your local primary school if you want to

    Funding the fully stocked school bags. We’ve found church members love giving generously to local, tangible needs!

    Packing the school bags during Packing Week if you want to. 

    Distributing the school bags before day one of school

    Continuing in relationship with the school

  • Initiating relationship with your local primary school if you want them to

    Liaising with the school regarding their stationery requirements

    Sourcing the school bags and stationery supplies (each school has unique requirements)

    Coordinating the citywide Packing Week & distribution of school bags

  • Children are nominated by their school principal & teachers, based on need.

  • Yes. For those children nominated, the school checks if parents are happy to receive it. Back2School Project manages this process with the school.

  • Packing Week takes place in mid-January, prior to the start of the school year, at Mitre10 in Lincoln Road, Henderson.

    This is happening 19 - 23 January and 27 - 30 January 2026

  • Prior to day one of the school year. Children and parents will pick up their bag from their school prior to day one, so that they are ready to go.


  • The full range of required stationery for a child. The school will specify this and Back2School Project will supply it. Each school and each age group have unique requirements. In addition, each child receives a lunchbox, drink bottle and towel.

  • Let’s talk that through. Back2School Project has a standard list of acceptable items and loves it when churches host a stationery drive.

  • Yes, Back2School Project is a subsidiary of the Element One Charitable Trust, CC58846.

  • Yes, by emailing back2schoolproject@gmail.com and requesting one.