Students may not want to think about the back-to-school season just yet, however, a campaign that sets out to make sure children in Chatham-Kent are prepared for the fall is swinging into gear.
The United Way of Chatham-Kent is accepting registrations and donations for Operation BackPacks.
Karyn O'Neil, director of community engagement and operations, said this campaign is one that continuously sees a growing need.
"[Now] in our 19th year, it's very obvious that it's a much-needed program in the community," said O'Neil. "This program served over 16,000 kids over the years and continues to grow."
She said they are taking a slightly different approach with the initiative to find out if certain products -- such as hygiene items -- are more of a need for students rather than traditional items such as markers, pencils, and erasers.
"We're connecting with educators, guardians, and parents to see what are really the most meaningful items that should be going in that backpack that are going to make the greatest impact for success," she said. "So that will be sort of how we're revamping the program for 2020."
One change people will notice in August during the backpack distribution session, is some health care professionals on hand.
"We are inviting community partners to be on site the day of distribution. One of the biggest partners in this initiative is going to be public health nurses," said O'Neil. "They'll be helping us distribute the backpacks and at that point, they'll have a contact with a guardian or student and they'll be able to point them to the direction of other supports and services that are age-specific and gender-related."
The deadline to register a child to receive a backpack is August 16, and that can be done online or by calling (519) 354-0430. The backpacks along with schools supplies will then be handed out the following Wednesday on August 21.
For residents who would like to donate school supplies but are unable to do so before the distribution date, the United Way of Chatham-Kent will collect materials throughout the year and save it for next year's initiative.
