The average Canadian spends $108 per child on school supplies, and the United Way wants to help ease the financial stress for local families. Last year the Tools for School program gave out backpacks filled with back-to-school essentials to more than 3,850 students in the three Grande Prairie school districts. The need is expected to grow in 2016.
The program is run in partnership with Staples, Costco, and Hi-Volt Safety, and is intended to relieve some of the pressure of the season on parents in need. Children can be referred to the United Way Alberta Northwest through their school or other community organizations.
Donations are being accepted at Staples before September 1st, with the annual stuff a bus event on August 30th.
