Ridge Meadows’ Back to School Fair Brings Joy and Supplies to 1,525 Local Kids
The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries hosted its 2024 Back to School Fair at Christian Life Assembly Church in Maple Ridge on August 23rd. Held just before the start of the school year, the fair provided 1,525 much-needed school supply kits to local children, ensuring that all students can start the year off right.
Parents and children were greeted with smiles and encouragement as they picked up backpacks filled with essentials such as notebooks, crayons, pencils, and other supplies. Additionally, Salvation Army volunteers and community members worked tirelessly to create a welcoming atmosphere where families could feel cared for and supported.
Major David MacPherson, Executive Director of Ridge Meadows Ministries, thanked all the donors who helped The Salvation Army make this moment possible. “We were able to purchase the kits because of the incredible support from donors, especially School District 42 who partnered closely with The Salvation Army to help us, and we are very grateful.”
It’s amazing to see how the community has come together to ensure sure every child has what they need to succeed. This event is about more than just school supplies, it’s about giving kids the confidence and excitement they need to thrive in school.
“The school supplies provided to elementary school children for families who can’t afford them because when the kids go to school, they must purchase supplies for the year, which is a lot of money for many families. So, for low-income families that can’t afford it, we give them the supplies for free. We
were pleased to directly assist 1,525 families registered with us, and we provided the same number of kits to the students,” explained David.
These events weren’t just about the supplies but about creating a sense of belonging and community. Parents met new people, shared experiences, and created more bonds and connections. Meanwhile, kids could participate in fun activities, from face painting, popcorn, hotdogs, balloon animals and haircuts all for free.
Corina Ardelean, Community and Family Services Advocate of The Salvation Army’s Ridge Meadows Ministries, expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community. “The fair is an amazing event. Along with receiving a package of supplies, we wanted to let people know that there are other resources in the community that can help them. So, we invited other services in the community here to make it available to families in a position where they need help, we are here to support them as a community.”
The Back to School Fair exemplified what can be achieved when a community supports its youngest members. This event once again demonstrated our commitment to making a positive impact, leaving everyone with warm hearts and hopeful spirits as the new school year approaches.
Want to help ensure more children in need have access to supplies and are supported throughout the school year? Click here to donate.