TTC and COMTO Toronto collect over 800 backpacks for children during Back to School Drive

This year, the TTC in partnership with the Toronto & Region Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), has collected over 800 backpacks with school supplies for students heading back to school in September. The backpacks will be distributed to children and teens in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas around the city.

Donations were collected across TTC worksites, as well as during the TTC’s annual Stuff-the-Bus event, which saw TTC and COMTO volunteers parking a TTC bus outside the Walmart Supercentre in Etobicoke on Aug. 12 and 13, and encouraging members of the public to donate.

“I am so grateful to all those who opened their hearts and gave generously, so that the start of school would be a little easier for kids and their families this year,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “Thank you to the incredible TTC employees and members of COMTO who gave their time and energy to this generous initiative that gives so much to children and teens across our city.”

“I want to thank the TTC employees who generously donated to Stuff-the-Bus, and helped COMTO to provide over 800 backpacks to children heading back to school this September,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “I know that the funds and items collected will go a long way in making this back-to-school period easier for children and families who need it most.”

“This year, our target was to collect 500 backpacks for students, and I am thrilled that we have been able to exceed this number and donate 833 backpacks to students in need,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “We are grateful for the support of the TTC Recreation Council, and the many TTC employees who donated generously to this drive.”

School supplies collected include pencils, pens, backpacks, geometry sets, calculators and notebooks. The backpacks will be distributed this week, both to community centres and directly to students and families.

Last year, COMTO Toronto and TTC employees donated more than 450 backpacks loaded with supplies and raised nearly $2,000 for students in the Lawrence Heights, Malvern, Shawn Blu Rose Park and Allen Gardens Park areas.

COMTO is a non-profit organization that was founded in the United States in 1971, and is the leading national advocate for employment diversity and inclusion in the transportation industry. COMTO Toronto and Region is COMTO’s first international chapter and the first chapter outside of the United States.