Volunteers sort items so each child enrolled in the Back 2 School programs receives clothing, shoes, school supplies, and more. The deadline to apply for the 2025 program is July 18. Photo courtesy of the United Way of Bay County
This article is part of an ongoing #UnitedForGood series highlighting people, agencies, and programs the United Way of Bay County supports.
Most people shop for one or two kids before the school year starts. At United Way of Bay County, staff and volunteers are preparing for more than 1,200 students.
That’s the scale of the Barbara and Gary Bosco Back 2 School Program, an initiative that outfits Bay County students with brand-new clothes, backpacks, school supplies and fresh haircuts for the first day.
This partnership – between United Way of Bay County, the Bay Area Community Foundation, and the Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee – was known as the Helen Wirt Lee Back to School Program.
This year, the program is going by a new name, reflecting a three-year commitment from the Boscos, who pledged to match $25,000 annually in funds to help sustain and grow the initiative. While the name has changed, the goal remains the same – ensuring every child feels ready and confident to return to school.
Before receiving the $25,000, the United Way needs to raise an equal amount of money in community donations.
“It takes everybody coming together,” says Nicole Luczak, President and CEO of the local United Way. “We can't go out and just have somebody write a check for $80,000. It takes so many individuals coming together with smaller donations to make this happen.”
Individuals who donate have the option to sponsor one child in the program for a donation of $75 or contribute whatever amount they can.
The program supports students who fall within the ALICE population – families who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. These are households that earn more than the federal poverty level and do not qualify for government assistance, but do not have enough to cover basic expenses like housing, childcare, transportation, and food.
“We had one gentleman who's a single dad and has three kids. He works for one of our local school districts and he pulled me aside and started crying because he never thought he would qualify for any help,” Luczak says.
“The financial burden that it alleviates with three kids of buying all new clothes, all new backpacks, school supplies, and haircuts for all of them, is huge for somebody in a situation that's living paycheck to paycheck.”
As of now, the federal poverty level for a family of four in Michigan is just over $32,000, while United Way has a cap of about $70,000 to qualify for the program.
The Barbara and Gary Bosco Back 2 School Program alleviates the stress on families that struggle during back-to-school season but have no other options for help.
“It’s just supporting our friends and neighbors, and coworkers. People would be very surprised with who we’re serving,” Luczak says. “They do know somebody. All our programs serve one in every three people in Bay County, and a lot of people don't know that. They don't know that we're serving working families, or how high our income threshold goes to qualify for our programs.”
She urges families to apply, even if they think they might not qualify for assistance from other programs.
Each child enrolled in the program receives two shirts – one short-sleeved, one long-sleeved – a pair of pants, socks, shoes, underwear, and a backpack filled with essential school supplies. United Way personalizes the items for each child participating in the program.
“We try to make sure that they're unique to them with things that they like with their styles,” Luczak says. “We ask what their favorite color is, or what they might be interested in. Because if we have a little girl who's into unicorns and rainbows, we want to make sure that those are the kinds of things that she's getting.”
The program also partners with Bayshire Beauty Academy, offering every participating child a token for a free haircut before the first day of school. For many students, having a new outfit and haircut fills more than just a material need. It also brings a sense of pride and confidence on the first day of school.
“Think back to going back to school, the first day of every fall, and you were lucky enough to have that brand new outfit that you wanted to show off,” Luczak says. “I used to pick mine out like weeks in advance after we went back to school shopping, and have it set out for me. Your new shoes and your new backpack, and your sharp pencils, you felt confident walking through those doors and that sets you up for academic success.”
Behind the scenes, the summer months are a whirlwind of logistics.
Around 25 volunteer shoppers rotate through United Way’s office, checking out shopping lists and gift cards, buying the items, and returning bags packed with clothing tailored to each child's preferences — from colors and characters to dress code requirements.
Each bag is checked again by volunteers to ensure everything is correct before distribution.
Luczak shared that the distribution days are what make the hard work from employees and volunteers worth it.
“We have some days with the work we do that can be frustrating, but those days (distribution days) are bucket-filling days,” she says. “We fill our hearts up and hold on to that throughout the year because those kids smile, their reactions are so genuine, and they are just so excited to get all these brand-new clothes.”
Community support is crucial. The annual program costs between $85,000 and $90,000. The matching funds from the Bosco family offer a new incentive for donors. A $75 contribution can now provide for two children in the program – covering clothes, backpacks, supplies, and haircuts.
The application deadline for this year’s program is Fri., July 18, and slots are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as many miss out due to the program's early enrollment date.
To apply for the Barbara and Gary Bosco Back 2 School Program, become a volunteer, or donate for the coming school year, visit the United Way of Bay County website.
Every filled backpack is more than just supplies. They also send a message that the community cares, and that every student deserves to feel confident and ready to learn.
“This is investing in our youth. It is investing in their academic success.”
Mikaila Bluew is the Associate Editor of
Delta Collegiate, Delta College's student newspaper. A Saginaw, Michigan native, Mikaila has a deep passion for storytelling that began with writing music, poetry, and short stories. In addition to her work with the
Delta Collegiate, Mikaila works as a freelance journalist, covering a variety of topics and gaining valuable experience through interviews and event coverage. Her freelance work has allowed her to explore different writing styles while developing a diverse portfolio. She pursued her love for writing and journalism by enrolling at Delta College, where she has been able to further hone her skills and connect with fellow students and professionals in the field.
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