ATHABASCA – With the new school year fast approaching, the Athabasca Native Friendship Centre is once again putting together backpacks full of school supplies for local students who may otherwise go without.
AFNC will soon begin advertising and collecting donations both through the Riddle Store and longtime partner Red Apple, for the eighth year in a row, said AFNC program coordinator Charity Jardine. The goal is to fill as many backpacks as there are students registered with the program.
“We're going to start the advertising right away and start collecting names. We collect donations from our regular store donations and we collect through Red Apple. Red Apple is a huge supporter of our program; last year they raised $3,400 for us; we helped over 75 kids last year,” Jardine said.
The program accepts students from any of the schools located in the Town of Athabasca from Whispering Hills Primary to Edwin Parr Composite and includes the Centre for Alternative and Virtual Education.
“We take names and contact numbers up to a certain date and then we will have the backpacks ready for them the next week,” she said.
This year's cut-off date is Aug. 14, Jardine said, noting they will be making up the backpacks whether schools open or not, as students will need supplies even if they have to stay home for continuity of learning due to the pandemic.
“We're happy to serve more. We encourage people not to be shy about asking for help.”
Jardine added the ANFC also has a lot of hygiene supplies for anyone who needs them and some will be included with the backpacks.
You can let the ANFC know how many backpacks you need by contacting them at 780-675-3086 or [email protected] before Aug. 14.
Heather Stocking, TownandCountryToday.com
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