Tools for School backpacks (Supplied)

By Alessia Proietti

Extra supplies

Tools for School program meets full needs of 829 students in central Alberta this year

Sep 12, 2023 | 11:45 AM

The Outreach Centre says, thanks to the generosity of Red Deerians, they were able to meet the needs of all students in the region this year, with supplies to spare, through their Tools for School program.

The annual program is run by The Outreach Centre and the United Way of Central Alberta, providing backpacks and school supplies to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 whose families have limited resources.

Ian Wheeliker, Executive Director for the Centre, says so far this year, they were able to give out around 55 more backpacks filled with supplies to students, and he anticipates more individuals to come throughout the week.

“It’s only because of the community that we’re able to help the folks that we do going back to school and make sure the kids get a good start to the school year,” he said, expressing appreciation and gratitude for those who donated.

From April to September 11 this year, 829 backpacks with supplies have been given to students, serving 306 families. The grade distribution of recipients was:

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• Kindergarten: 45
• Grade 1-5: 318
• Grades 6-8: 208
• Grades 9-12: 258

Last year during the same time, the Centre says 774 backpacks were given out, serving 299 families, with students in the following grades:

• Kindergarten: 53
• Grades 1-5: 299
• Grades 6-8: 185
• Grades 9-12: 237

What stood out this year for Wheeliker, he says, was the large size of families coming to the Centre, with some having up to six children. He says it was a heartwarming experience to see the happy children “smiling going in and just beaming going out”.

He adds that at the beginning, he felt nervous if they would be able to meet the need given the current housing crisis and inflation causing families to be stretched thin. However, he says they were not only able to meet the need but accumulate extra, with their supply room looking well stocked for additional needs throughout the year and to help get the program running for next year.

“I’ve been in the charitable non-profit sector for three decades and when tough times hit, hard economic times for individuals and families, people who give seem to open their hearts and their wallets even more during the tough times,” he said.

“I think that they think, ‘if I’m feeling the pinch, just imagine how those who have less than me are doing and what they’re feeling right now’, and it just seems that motivates people.”

The Centre says they were also able to raise approximately $15,000 in monetary donations for the program.

“We live in central Alberta, in a very generous, a very caring, a very compassionate and a very giving community,” he said. “The community has always been there, and I think it’s a reflection of Albertans; they’re always willing to give people a hand up.”

READ: Backpacks for high school students still needed for Tools for School program

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