Help Us Fill 500 Backpacks for Pacific Islander Youth!

Utah Pacific Island Heritage Month | 13th Annual Celebration

Each August, thousands gather to celebrate the beauty, strength, and resilience of Pacific Island cultures at Utahâ€™s Pacific Island Heritage Month Kick-Off. As part of our celebration, 500 backpacks filled with school supplies are given to students from our communities â€” ready to start school with pride, confidence, and the tools to succeed.

This is more than just a backpack.

Itâ culturally rooted empowerment. It showing up for our kids. Is investing in the future of Pacific Island families.

âœ¨ How It Works

As youth and families visit each of the Pacific Island Cultural Stations at the event learning about the diverse cultures of Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, and more they receive stamps in their Cultural Passport.

Once their passport is complete, they redeem it for a backpack full of school supplies!

This makes learning fun, meaningful, and rooted in cultural identity a powerful combination for self-worth and academic success.

Whats Inside Each Backpack?

Each backpack includes:

Notebooks

Pencils and pens

Crayons or colored pencils

Glue sticks

Folders

Erasers and sharpeners

The cost to fill one backpack is approximately $15â€“$20.

We need to raise $7,500 to $10,000 to fill 500 backpacks. Every dollar helps.

$20 = 1 fully stocked backpack

$100 = Supplies for 5 students

$500 = Supports an entire classroom!

Why It Matters

Pacific Islander youth in Utah face higher poverty rates and lower access to culturally relevant support.

Education is one of the strongest tools we have to break cycles of inequity.

Our students deserve to show up on the first day of school feeling seen, supported, and set up to succeed.

Be Part of the Village

Together, we can make sure no child walks into school unprepared.

Together, we can build pride in culture and the power of education.

Make your donation today and help us honor our youth, our ancestors, and our future.

Our ancestors navigated the ocean. Now we help our youth navigate systems PIK2AR

Donate Now

Great! Here an updated content tailored specifically for your Givebutter fundraising page at https://givebutter.com/ggbCMX:

Support 500 Pacific Islander Students with Backpacks Full of School Supplies!

13th Annual Utah Pacific Island Heritage Month Kick-Off

August 2025 | Salt Lake City, UT

Hosted by PIK2AR (Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources)

Each year, thousands gather to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Utahs Pacific Island communities. One of the most powerful moments of this event is watching 500 kids proudly walk away with a brand-new backpack, filled with supplies and love from their community.

These are not just any backpacks.

They are earned by visiting all of the Pacific Island Cultural Stations at the event learning, listening, and participating.

Once their Cultural Passport is complete, they redeem it for a fully loaded backpack ready for the school year.

Our Goal: $10,000 to Fill 500 Backpack $20 = 1 backpack full of supplies

$100 = 5 kids ready for school

$500 = A classroom equipped and empowered

Give what you can. Every dollar counts.

What is Inside Each Backpack:

Notebooks & folders

Pencils, pens, crayons

Glue sticks, sharpeners, eraserCultural affirmation tag: â€œYou are your ancestors a greatest dreama?

Why This Matters:

Pacific Islanders are 22% of Utah's communities of color and face high poverty and low access to educational support.

Our event uplifts culture and prepares our keiki (children) to succeed in the classroom.

When kids feel seen and prepared, they show up stronger for themselves, their families, and their future.

Be Part of the Village

We invite YOU to help carry this tradition forward. Give today and share with your networks. Together, we can send our kids to school proud, prepared, and rooted in culture.

Donate Now on Givebutter

Contact for Sponsorships or Questions:

susi@pik2ar.org

Learn more at www.pik2ar.org/upihm

Our ancestors navigated the ocean. Now we help our youth navigate systems.

For questions or to become a sponsor, email susi@pik2ar.org

2025 School Supply Drive

Team Members