WESTLOCK – With kids returning to school Aug. 31, some parents may be facing financial burden brought on by the cost of school supplies.
The Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) Tools for School program helps alleviate some of that stress by providing backpacks full of school supplies to families in need. It’s been a cornerstone program for the past 15 years and ensures students are ready to return to school.
While in normal years backpacks are filled with supplies and distributed, FCSS executive director Tracy Proulx says they are trying something new this year.
“Families can book a time to come in and actually ‘shop’ for their supplies. So, they’ll have a list, we’ll have everything set up and they’ll be able to come in and fill their backpack rather than just coming to pick it up, it just makes it feel a little bit more special,” she said.
The Tools for School program serves around 25 students yearly and surplus donations are carried over and used in the following year.
Help for the program
With the program relying on donations through the community, it is up to people like Wes Stuart to help support the program.
The 103-year-old donated $1,000 to the program on Aug. 24, the largest donation FCSS received this year.
“Well, there’s no use in giving (the money) to the crows,” Stuart said with a laugh when presenting the cheque. “I think it’ll help out a little bit and I just want to try to help people.”
The donation will help fill around 10 backpacks for kids in need, nearly half of what is usually required by the program to support the community.
Stuart says he is happy to help the program and plans to continue making donations.
“We’ve received a lot of great donations this year,” Proulx added. “It’s nice to see this much support.”
