When school starts this fall, many children in our community will show up without the basic supplies. That’s the motivation behind the Tools for School program, spearheaded by the United Way Alberta Northwest. Executive Director Brenda Yamkowy argues that without the proper equipment, it can be hard to learn in a classroom.
“I think the average cost is at least $200 for a student for school supplies, so it’s pretty expensive. What we’re hoping for is if we can provide them with the actual school tools that they need, then they’re able to be more successful in their schooling.”
Last year, more than 1,200 students received school supplies, and the hope is to provide for more than 1,500 in the region in 2015.
“There’s actually a great need for it in our community and none of this goes unused for sure. We know that many of our youths come in to the schools and they don’t have the tools that they need to be able to do a day’s worth of work and to be able to be successful in their education.”
Donations of supplies and funds to buy more are being collected at the United Way office and Staples, in partnership with Costco and Hi-Volt Safety. Everything raised will be delivered to local school districts to handed out to children in need after the Stuff the Bus event on September 3rd.
