BARRHEAD - The Tools for School program is a vital initiative run by the Barrhead Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) in partnership with the United Way.
They are currently taking registrations to provide backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need.
Savannah Balyk, Executive Director of Barrhead FCSS, highlights the growing demand for the program.
“If it is a decision for families to buy groceries or school supplies, they're buying groceries and kids will have to go without if the family doesn't register for the program,” said Balyk.
The Tools for Schools program provide backpacks for the Barrhead area including Fort Assiniboine, Neerlandia, and Dunstable.
The number of families accessing services has been increasing with over 150 backpacks supplied last year and in 2023.
“Calculators are an item that we are always short on in the donations. Junior high students need a calculator for their classes,” said Balyk.
FCSS works closely with the Pembina Hills School Division to ensure backpacks are filled with the supplies that are appropriate for different grade levels.
The program starts with new backpacks that are provided by the United Way which include a binder, a notebook, and a few pens and pencils.
FCSS then takes over and fills them with the essential items from a detailed supply list.
The list which is posted on the FCSS Facebook page includes everything from pencils and erasers to highlighters, felt markers, and various types of paper and notebooks.
Other items listed are glue sticks, white school glue, white-out, duotangs, graph paper, geometry sets, headphones, pencil crayons, protractors, blank and lined notebooks.
The need for this program underscores a broader community challenge.
“More families are struggling, and school supplies seem like something that could get scrimped,” said Balyk.
Students can feel embarrassed or be withdrawn if they don’t have the tools to participate in their schoolwork, making the impacts to students significant according to Balyk.
The Tools for School Program addresses this difficulty.
School supplies donations aim to remove a barrier to successful learning and participation in school for our community children.
Community support is essential for the program's success.
Donations of new school supplies can be dropped off at the FCSS office.
Balyk expressed her gratitude for the local support received last year.
“We had a lot of donations and deals coming from Red Apple and Everyday Dollar Store on Main Street, so they were fantastic to work with,” said Balyk.
As the need for the program increases and its reach expands continued community generosity will be more important than ever to ensure every child has a positive start to the school year.
