Latet launches campaign to provide 5,000 backpacks for children in need
Ahead of the 2026 academic year, the aid organisation Latet has launched a campaign to provide 5,000 backpacks, stationery, and food parcels to children in need across Israel. According to the campaign, 2,000 of these backpacks are designated for children in northern Israel whose lives have been disrupted by the current security climate. Latet states that the initiative aims to ensure children begin the school year with essential supplies, adequate nutrition, and a sense of belonging. Citing its 2025 'Alternative Poverty Report', the organisation notes that 67 per cent of parents receiving aid are unable to afford basic stationery for their children. Furthermore, in 41 per cent of these families, at least one child has been forced to enter the workforce—a figure Latet reports is 2.4 times higher than the 17.2 per cent rate observed in the general population. Latet argues that equal access to education begins with basic necessities such as backpacks and stationery, which can help break the cycle of poverty. The organisation is appealing for public donations to fund educational kits containing new backpacks, stationery, and nutritious food. Founded in 1996, Latet—which means 'to give' in Hebrew—describes itself as Israel’s primary food bank and humanitarian aid organisation. It works with 210 non-governmental organisations and local bodies, supported by 38,000 volunteers, to assist 100,000 families and 1,600 Holocaust survivors annually. This article was published in The Times of Israel as sponsored content. Latet notes that online donations in countries including the UK, US, Canada, Israel, France, and Australia may be tax-deductible, depending on the currency selected.