As the back-to-school season looms, a Colorado nonprofit turned a hotel ballroom into a hub of generosity, helping families shoulder the growing cost of school prep — one backpack at a time.

Over the weekend, Kenzi’s Causes brought its Packz4Kidz event to Grand Junction for the very first time, distributing fully stocked backpacks to kids from kindergarten through high school — no strings attached, just community support with a whole lot of heart.

A hotel ballroom packed with purpose

The Grand Vista Hotel in Grand Junction isn’t your typical school supply depot. But on Saturday, it became exactly that.

Parents shuffled in. Kids smiled wide. Volunteers handed over backpacks stuffed to the brim with pencils, folders, notebooks, and hope.

For families still catching up from rising rent, high gas prices, and grocery bills that just won’t quit, this event was more than helpful. It was necessary.

“There just seems to be a larger need down here,” said Bethany Duggan, who hosted the event for Kenzi’s Causes. “We’ve done this for years in Rifle, but this is our first time in Grand Junction.”

Her words hit home. Especially for folks juggling multiple kids and mounting August expenses.

One child’s memory turned into statewide impact

Kenzi’s Causes isn’t just another nonprofit name. It carries a story — one with both heartbreak and healing.

The organization was started by Jessica Bachus after her daughter, Kenzi, was stillborn at just 24 weeks. In the face of unimaginable grief, Bachus chose to create something good.

Today, Kenzi’s Causes hosts a string of events across Colorado: from toy drives during the holidays to Packz4Kidz in the summer.

“They’ve done so much for families,” Duggan said. “And honestly, volunteering here — it’s my way of giving back.”

One-sentence pause: It’s not just about pencils and paper.

It’s about letting a family breathe easier for a moment. About helping a kid feel confident walking into that first day of school.

Each backpack packed with precision — and heart

Every single bag handed out came with care. Nothing was random.

According to Duggan, the supplies were tailored by grade level:

• Elementary school backpacks had the exact items listed by area schools — crayons, blunt scissors, wide-rule paper.

• Middle school packs were upgraded with calculators, highlighters, and spiral notebooks.

• High school backpacks came with binders, index cards, and subject dividers — the kind of stuff that adds up quickly in store aisles.

Here’s how it broke down:

“We don’t just throw stuff in a bag,” Duggan said. “There’s a packing list. It matches what the schools ask for. That way, the kids show up prepared — no stress, no scrambling.”

Giving feels good — especially when it’s local

There was no check-in table asking for proof of income. No paperwork. No judgment. Just a friendly smile and a backpack.

And that approach? It made a difference.

“It’s really about connection,” Duggan added. “We’re just here to help. No hoops.”

Volunteers — some of whom were local teachers, others just neighbors with free time — chatted with families as they handed out bags.

Some offered advice on what to expect in middle school. Others gave high-fives to younger kids, who showed off their favorite colors and characters on the packs they picked.

There was even one kid who wore his backpack around the hotel lobby for an hour — “just practicing,” he said.

Looking ahead, the need keeps growing

This year’s Grand Junction event might’ve been the first — but it won’t be the last.

With so many families attending, Duggan says the demand was clear.

“Everything is more expensive now. Groceries. Gas. Rent. Life’s just getting harder for a lot of people,” she said. “So being able to help, even a little? It matters.”

Kenzi’s Causes plans to return to Grand Junction next year, and Duggan hopes the next event is even bigger.

For now, she’s just happy to see kids walking away with full bags and wide grins.