Back to school means backpacks to fill
Woolwich Community Services now taking donations for its popular program to ensure kids are set to return to class
AUGUST A THIRD OF the way done, the back-toschool countdown is on in earnest.
Often stressful for kids and parents alike, the shopping experience is an even bigger hurdle to some residents, but Woolwich Community Services is hoping to relieve some of that stress with their annual backpack program.
Each year WCS provides a ‘shopping’ experience to low-income families in the township, allowing youth from junior kindergarten to Grade 12 the opportunity to pick up necessary school supplies for the resumption of classes.
“September can be a difficult and costly time of year. There may be a need to purchase new supplies for children and youth who are returning to school. The purpose of the backpack program is to help reduce these expenses,” said Tina Reed, coordinator of community support with WCS. “Our goal is that each child and youth return to school eager to learn with a full backpack and a smile on their face.”
WCS is asking the community for donations to fill 125 backpacks for children with needed school supplies this fall, anything from paper and pencils up to the more costly expenses such as scientific calculators and lunch bags, the needs varying with the age of the kids.
Reed notes that the deadline for drop-offs is fast approaching, as they need to know their inventory in order to purchase additional supplies before the program is open to the public on August 29.
Right now, the most needed items include backpacks – especially for youth 12-18 years of age – thermal lunch bags, binders, children’s scissors, calculators (regular and scientific), markers, pencil cases and whiteout.
For those who might be picking up items with a donation to WCS in mind, Reed notes there is a need for things that an older high school student would sport at school.
Supplies can be dropped off at either the youth centre, located at the Woolwich Memorial Centre, during regular hours, or at the Woolwich Community Services office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Children and youth can come to Woolwich Community Services August 30, 31 and September 1 during business hours to choose their backpack and fill it will items from their stock.
Reed says all of the supplies are set out along tables, to allow youth the best “shopping” experience.
“Part of getting excited for the new school year is picking out items that fit your personality, be it the flashy backpack, the funky eraser or the plain pencil case. We like to offer the children and youth these choices with our setup,” she said.
New this year, Wellesley Township will have their own backpack program, running August 29 and 30 – in the past WCS has provided the northern part of Wellesley Township service from their program.
“Other programs do exist that do the same things, in different areas,” she said. “If someone shows up that isn’t from our area we try to find what is in their area and give them their information so they aren’t leaving empty handed.”