The final push is on to make sure every child in the Grey-Bruce area has the school supplies they need to succeed when classes resume next week.
United Way Bruce Grey's backpack program entered its final five collection days on Monday. It comes after a weekend that saw overwhelming support for the program through a stuff-a-bus event held at Grant's Your Independent Grocer in Hanover. Blackburn Media's three radio stations in Midwestern Ontario - CKNX AM920, 101.7 The One, and Cool 94.5 - partnered with the United Way and Grant's for the event Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
United Way Executive Director Francesca Dobbin said in addition to the numerous fully stuffed backpacks that were donated, more than $2,600 in cash was collected, including $1,000 on Saturday alone.
"It was an amazing three days of really engaging with the community, talking to people about the need in our community and seeing that Grey Bruce response to the need," said Dobbin.
The financial donations will be used to buy more backpacks, pencil cases, math sets, binders, and other items needed for students returning to school.
Dobbin added that there are currently 2,513 students signed up to receive a fully stocked backpack this year and that the number is likely to increase.
"We are going into the last five days and parents are going to be calling us desperate because they thought they were going to be able to do back-to-school on their own, but inflation and the cost of living being what it is [they cannot]," said Dobbin. "We want to be here for those kids and for those parents."
Donations to the backpack program can be made online at www.Backpacks4Kids.ca, over the phone at 519-376-1560 or toll-free at 1-800-794-1728, or by mail at United Way of Bruce Grey, 380 9th Street East, Owen Sound, ON, N4K 1P1. People wishing to drop off a donation can do so by going to the United Way office in Owen Sound during regular business hours.
Last year, 2,470 backpacks were distributed to kids in need.
Students return to the classroom next Wednesday.
