Backpack Program Eases Back-to-School Stress for Parents
Not too long ago, back-to-school season meant stress and sacrifice for April Brown from Langley, B.C. With three children in elementary school, the cost of supplies added up quickly.
“I had to choose between buying them new clothes or school supplies,” April shares.
Since becoming a single mother, April has provided for her family on a limited income. To cover basic necessities, she turned to The Salvation Army in Langley for assistance, starting with the food bank.
“The staff at the food bank are the sweetest. There, they gave me a flyer, which explained the back-to-school program,” April adds. The program provides families with a full list of school supplies, which will be in the backpack, ahead of the academic year.
“I had to choose between buying them new clothes or school supplies.”
“All I had to do was email The Salvation Army and give them my children’s information. I am so grateful. This is such a blessing,” she says.
While access to school supplies may not seem like a big deal to some people, April explains that the program has had a great impact on her family.
“In the past, I’ve had to pawn and sell stuff, so knowing the school supplies are already taken care of lets me focus on other expenses like lunches,” April says.
She also sees the assistance as a way to prevent her children from feeling left out.
“Just knowing that I don’t have to worry about that and that they’re going to get all the little things they need for their school, it means so much. You don’t want your kids to go to school without supplies, that’s just mortifying, “April says.
The Salvation Army has also helped April’s family in other ways. Her daughters and son are also part of the Peace program, which allows them to learn more about their feelings. They also get Christmas gifts from the Adopt-a-Family initiative.
“You don’t want your kids to go to school without supplies, that’s just mortifying.”
“They’ve saved me,” April shares. “The staff need to know that they are making such a difference in people’s lives.”
As for the backpack program, April knows it is also a way of knowing that she is not alone.
“As a parent, this means everything.”
By Juan Romero
