The TTC in the Community: Backpack Drive

Employees, customers and community partners came together to give generously at various donation hubs across Toronto to help ensure students start the school year with the supplies they need.

Led by the Special Constables Community Engagement Unit and supported by the Recreation Council, the Backpack Drive was born from a desire to give back to the neighbourhoods that TTC staff serve every day. Over several weeks in August, the TTC collaborated with community partners and volunteers to create accessible donation hubs across Toronto, giving employees and customers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on local communities.

Throughout the drive, a dedicated TTC bus and operator travelled to key collection sites throughout the city where volunteers, staff, and residents met the buses with incredible enthusiasm and donated items like backpacks, binders and other school supplies. These collection events highlighted the generosity of TTC customers and partners, turning transit connections into opportunities to support local students and families.

The campaign culminated at the Celebrating Line 5 Eglinton event on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Cedarvale Station. As a thank you, event attendees who stopped by with a donation of much needed school supplies throughout the celebration received a limited-edition Line 5 commemorative coin. This final collection effort helped bring the campaign to a strong close just in time for the start of the new school year.