Learning Foundation volunteers and staff were busy sorting through pens, pencils, crayons, lunch bags, etc., as they organize and pack for the Good Backpack Program on August 15th 2018.  At the end of the day, over 500 backpacks were filled with school supplies for local students!

The purpose of the Good Backpack Program is to ensure that all children and youth have the opportunity to participate completely in their education, regardless of their family’s financial status or means.

School Principals have shared with us the following comments on the Good Backpack Program:  “I have many large families that live on income assistance and these children would go without if there wasn’t a Good Backpack Program in our school.  The families are thrilled to receive these backpacks with school supplies inside.”

“This is an amazing program that is needed by many families.  It helps close the equity gap in our school.  These kids are able to come to school feeling proud of their new supplies and backpacks.”

Schools in communities of greater need will receive a supply of backpacks in advance of the school year to assist students.  This is done quietly and confidentially, and staff may have had conversations with families and students at the end of last school year to let them know that support would be provided.

In schools where backpacks have not been provided in advance, students can still access a backpack through discussion with school staff.  These discussions can be quiet and confidential.

Since all of the supplies for the Good Backpack Program are purchased with donations, we’ll have as many backpacks to hand out as our fundraising has been successful!

A thank you to our major sponsors of the program:  The Belleville Senators, Staples, CLAC-Building Communities Together (Local Fire Fighters), and the United Way of Hastings and Prince Edward (final donation).

 

(Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

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