The Outreach Centre is once again collecting donations for the Tools for School program. In partnership with the United Way, this program provides free backpacks and school supplies to students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 whose families have limited resources.
In 2021, over 900 students across central Alberta were supplied with backpacks and school supplies thanks to the generosity of the community. Staff at The Outreach Centre predict that over 1000 students will need assistance from Tools for School for the upcoming school year. The need for backpacks and supplies spans all grades, and the demand is expected to grow over the coming weeks.
“We have already had many requests for assistance. With families getting prepared for the return to school, we expect to see an increase in demand over the next few weeks,” says Ian Wheeliker, Executive Director for The Outreach Centre. “This is a community and donation driven program, so we rely on the donations we receive to ensure that as many students as possible have the tools they need to start the school year off on the right foot.”
Donations of backpacks and school supplies can be dropped off at The Outreach Centre or the United Way. To read more about the program, view the list of needed school supplies, or to make a monetary donation online, visit The Outreach Centre website.
