Back-to-School Program Eases Mother’s Financial Strain

As students prepare for their upcoming school year, back-to-school shopping becomes a focus for parents across Canada.

Markers, backpacks, pencils and binders are some of the most popular items. While it may not seem like a lot, the cost of these supplies can be challenging, especially for families with multiple children in school.

For Desiree from Estevan, Sask., back-to-school shopping is one of her biggest expenses of the year as a mother of six.

“With the extra cost of supplies and new shoes that they have to have every year, the cost for me is well over $1,000 to send my children to school come September,” Desiree shares.

Thankfully, The Salvation Army in Estevan helps her through their annual Back-to-School Backpack Campaign. This program gives families in the community backpacks full of school supplies, helping ease the financial toll on low-income families.

“The parents also tell us how thankful they are and how this helps them.”

“There is a need in our community for people who need a little extra help at this time of the year. If we can help send a family off to school with some supplies then the money that they’re saving can go towards other needs that they may have,” says Community Ministries Director, Ronza Reynard.

Throughout July and August, The Salvation Army collects donations of school supplies to fill the backpacks given to families before the school year. Each backpack is prepared considering the needs of children of different ages and grades.

If supplies are missing, the Army will purchase them, which is why monetary donations are also welcomed.

The moment families come in to receive the supplies seems to be the favourite aspect of the program for clients and staff.

“The children love coming in to get that new backpack,” Desiree adds.

“It’s great to see the look on children’s faces when they get a brand new backpack. The parents also tell us how thankful they are and how this helps them,” Ronza says.

“Having access to this program takes a lot of stress off.”

Having six children multiplies Desiree’s expenses whenever she has to provide for her family. Ronza estimates that just on backpacks not including supplies, this program is helping Desiree save approximately $300.

“Having access to this program takes a lot of stress off. Shoes and backpacks are very expensive so this helps alleviate some of those costs,” Desiree shares.

The Salvation Army in Estevan provides school supplies to over 80 students each year. They have been running the back-to-school program for the past 10 years.

By Juan Romero