The good backpack program is back for Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board students. Today in Belleville volunteers are working together to pack backpacks for the up-coming school year.
Volunteers for the Good Backpack campaign launch are spending their time organizing and assembling the school necessities for local children in-need. (Photo: Alex Mahar/ Quinte News.)
The program was originally an initiative of the community development council. The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation took over the initiative three years ago from the United Way with the goal of reaching out to as many students in-need as possible.
This year, 550 backpacks are being put together by volunteers that will be sent out to children from families in-need. 450 of those backpacks have already been assigned to both elementary or secondary students across the school board.
The initiative is entirely community funded and wouldn’t be possible without the donations and hard work from volunteers, said Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation Executive Director, Maribeth deSnoo.
The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation works with members of the school board and school principals to identify which children could be in-need, then a form is sent home with that child near the end of the school year to let the parents/guardians know that they will be receiving a good pack in the fall.
The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation wants to have the backs of students across the school board to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to have a great school experience. (Photo: Alex Mahar/ Quinte News.)
The remaining 75 backpacks are given to families who request a need for a backpack and supplies in the fall. The request form is filled out by the school’s principal and sent away for approval.
The program is all about making sure that all students have an equal opportunity to go to school says deSnoo.
It also about quiet and confidential support adds deSnoo.
Each backpack is supplied with binders, glue sticks, rulers, pens, lunch bags, pencils, water bottles, dividers, scientific calculators, scissors, markers and a pencil back.
Members of the community are being encouraged to donate items to Staples in Belleville this upcoming back to school season to help make a difference.
Students will receive their free backpacks on the first day of school this year, and if you’re a family with a student in-need of a backpack you can contact your child’s school in September.
