Tools for School in need of backpacks

“We have a bit of supplies,” says Ouellet. “You know you can get a duo-tang for 10 cents, you can get a package of paper for 25 cents but backpacks are where we’re struggling right now.”

In terms of demand, he says they’re kind of trending where they were last year when over 2,000 backpacks were given out to local students in need.

“I wouldn’t say we’re going to have a big increase, which is good,” says Ouellet. “But I think we’re trending where we’re going to be close to where we were last year. On Saturday, we gave out almost 207 in one day with really still two and a half more weeks of what we’re going to give out.”

Ouellet adds it’s important to note a lot of local families still need help.

“With the children, we want to make sure that they have the tools they need to start school like every other kid that’s out there,” states Ouellet. “We don’t want to single them out to say ‘Oh, they don’t have this and they don’t have that’, cause it’s not a great way to start the school year. So if they start it like everybody else and they have what they need, they’re like everybody else.”

If you would like to help, donation bins can be found at Staples in Red Deer and Gasoline Alley, the north Walmart, Parkland Mall food court, Costco, the United Way of Central Alberta office or at the Women’s Outreach Centre.

For more information or to volunteer, call Women’s Outreach at 403-347-2480 or visit their website at womensoutreach.ca.

by Sheldon Spackman

Tools for School in need of backpacks

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