Cheer Crates offer families food, learning support, fun
Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation delivers essential supplies to kids in need
The role schools play in children’s lives goes beyond education. That’s become apparent with classes on hold due to COVID-19.
When the Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation (SPSF) reached out to schools to inquire if their families needed support, the answer was a resounding yes.
Parents were looking for food, personal care items and things to keep kids engaged.
“Once schools closed, we were sort of wondering, ‘What is there that we can do?’ ” said SPSF executive director Zeba Ahmad.
“We knew there would be some food challenges and just being locked up at home for a long period of time. And so we wanted to do something that was positive and uplifting for families.”
On Tuesday, the SPSF started delivery of its Cheer Crates, an initiative to support families across Saskatoon by providing them with some essentials.
A team of volunteers from the school division and businesses in Saskatoon packed crates on Tuesday at Westmount School to be delivered by teachers and staff. They’re set to go out to more than 500 families from 31 schools.
Included inside are educational resources, food and a selection of activities like skipping ropes, books and bubbles that children can play with while maintaining social distancing.
“The response has been very significant, obviously, which is good and bad,” Ahmad said. “But it’s also been very positive. I have personally had emails from families saying, ‘Thank you so much, my kids are looking forward to getting the sidewalk chalk,’ and things like that.”
Ahmad said contributors at all levels were quick to join when Cheer Crates kicked off in April.
Nutrien and Three Farmers Foods contributed food, while the Saskatoon Open Door Society offered to make reusable cloth masks so each crate would contain four disposable masks as well.
The program, which includes deliveries in May and June, will continue as long as it’s supported, she said.
“Community organizations, individuals, organizations, we’ve had support from everywhere,” she said.
“They sort of see the need and they participate, and it’s great seeing the community come together.”