Helping kids make the grade in Halifax

James Woods’ office was overrun by backpacks. So was the office beside him and two others across the hall. As Special Programs Coordinator at the Halifax Centre of Hope, he knows how essential these backpacks are to families in the community.

On August 24, the Centre of Hope was site of the Back to School kickoff. This year, the Salvation Army’s Back to School program gave nearly 250 children a backpack filled with the tools needed to have a successful school year.

The Back to School program began 11 years ago through the efforts of volunteer and program co-chair, Linda Elliott. Wanting to do something to help children from low-income families, she decided to address the skyrocketing costs of school supplies and began collecting donations from friends, family and colleagues. Since its inception, the program has helped over 1400 children begin school with confidence.

“There is definitely a need for this in the community,” says Woods. As the collective costs of school supplies increases, many families are faced with the difficult decision of buying school supplies or putting food on the table.

Not only is this program helping children in the community, but it is also helping Syrian refugee families as many begin their first year in Halifax schools.

Thanks to collective efforts of volunteers, community members, and donors such as Bell/Aliant, Feed Nova Scotia, Tim Hortons, and Capital Inter District Soccer League (CISL), along with a partnership with Staples, hundreds of children will start school with a new backpack and essential school supplies.

“The biggest thing is seeing how this event helps so many,” says Woods. “To see the kid’s expression when they get their backpack is everything, they wait for this day.”

Starting grade one in September, six-year-old Tiffarah is no exception, “I’m so excited to show my friend my new backpack.”