The first day of school is right around the corner and The St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village have 200 backpacks stuffed and ready to go.
“Gearin’ Up for the Grades” happens on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Albert Food Bank/Community Village located at 50 Bellerose Drive.
The annual event, supported by several community agencies including the United Way’s Tools for School campaign, provides back-to-school support to St. Albert families with limited resources. Last year, the event handed out backpacks to more than 140 St. Albert students.
St. Albert Food Bank executive director, Suzan Krescy, says along with school supplies, the event will provide students from kindergarten through Grade 12 with a free haircut and clothes.
“During the year Warehouse One brings us gently used jeans and so those go out on the tables for folks to choose. Some is gently used clothing and some of it’s brand new,” says Krescy. “And then we’ve got other little prizes that we’re going to put out on the tables for people to choose.”
Families attending the event will be served lunch and will have the opportunity to talk to agencies at the information fair on site including Student Legal Aid, Target Pharmacy and the Salvation Army.
In order to attend, families have to be St. Albert residents and must contact organizers before the event by calling 780-459-0599.
“They can call in and either a social worker or myself will speak to them,” Krescy says. “So they just give us a dingle and we talk with them and see what their situation is.”
The program is still accepting school supplies for students – especially lined paper and coiled notebooks. Donations can be dropped of at the St. Albert Food bank location Wednesday and Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., in donation boxes at local grocery stores, or at the firehall.
