Charity calls for supplies
WITH just less than three weeks until school starts, Toowoomba Plaza has partnered with St Vincent de Paul Society Qld to launch Operation Backpack - an initiative to equip children in need with school equipment.
Operation Backpack encourages residents and local business to dig deep and donate much needed school supplies such as pens, pencils, glue, calculators, exercise books, lunch boxes or backpacks.
“We understand how expensive it can be for families getting school supplies together each term and we wanted to help out our community,” Toowoomba Plaza Centre Manager Noelene Major said.
St Vincent de Paul Society Toowoomba regional president Terry Ryan said demand for the society’s help didn’t wane after Christmas.
“January is one of our busiest months of the year,” he said.
“For families in need this can be a tough time as they experience the added stress of trying to find the funds to send their children to school with proper uniforms and all the necessary books and stationery.
“This initiative will greatly assist us in our efforts to send children in need back to school with everything they require to succeed.”
Operation Backpack will run until January 29, with residents able to buy items and place them in the collection bins located at the Kmart entrance of Toowoomba Plaza.