Back to school is an exciting time of year for many but can be a source of anxiety for others.
With school supplies more expensive than ever, more and more families are in need of help this time of year. Thanks to the TELUS Kits for Kids program, Midland MLA Lauren Stone was able to donate 10 backpacks of school supplies to community organizations and families in need.
Since 2006, TELUS has distributed more than 200,000 backpacks to school-aged children across Canada. This year, the company is donating around 20,000 packages, and each Manitoba MLA gets 10 to distribute across their constituency.
Each backpack contains a pencil case, pencil crayons, pencils, pens, erasers, a ruler, scribblers, loose-leaf paper, and a colouring book.
As the mom of two young children herself, Stone knows how expensive back-to-school shopping can be. She’s happy to help some families offset those costs with the Kits for Kids program and hopes she can continue to deliver backpacks for years to come.
Stone gave two backpacks to Carman Collegiate, a few to The Backdoor YFC in Carman, the Carman Pentecostal Church’s youth group, and some directly to local families in need. Stone said she chose those organizations or places because they understand who in the community is in need.
Mary Reimer, Carman Collegiate principal, said receiving two of the backpacks “means everything” to the school.
“It means that we have a community behind us,” she said. “It’s those tiny little gestures from community members that are just a small reminder that what we’re doing matters.”
Carman Collegiate gave one of the backpack’s supplies to the Grade 7 teachers and the others to the Grade 8 teachers. Reimer said they couldn’t think of one student who would benefit from it all, so they’re hoping the supplies can help an entire classroom instead. The actual backpacks will be given to students in need after Carman Collegiate staff watch the students for a while.
Reimer said the school is also planning ways to give back to the community that gives back to them. They’re working on events that will open the school’s doors and “remind community members the school is their building as well.” More information on those events will come.
Stone encourages those who know of families in need to contact her office next year so she can distribute the backpacks accordingly. Her office email is info@laurenstone.ca.
