Heading Back to School with Pride

Kayla’s three children will start this school year with confidence because they will be sporting shiny new backpacks provided by The Salvation Army’s back-to-school program.

Knowing the support is available from Agincourt Community Church is one less worry for the Scarborough single mom.

“Without the help, I’d have to rely on hand-me-downs that my children are embarrassed to go to school with,” Kayla says. “Instead, I would have to go store to store looking for sales just to make sure they have the supplies they need for class.”

Kayla says that without the program, she would have to cut back on her kids’ activities and purchase lower-quality items that might not last the entire school year.

Salvation Army Community and Family Services coordinator Fae Sturge expects to hand out more than 400 backpacks to children heading back to class this fall, an increase from the 350 packs given to vulnerable families in 2023.

“The numbers are increasing and it’s getting harder for people to make ends meet with the rising cost of food,” Fae says.  “Kids grow up so fast, and providing clothing, shoes and food takes priority over a backpack for many families.”

Thanks to the generosity of supporters and partners, backpacks are handed out to students from junior kindergarten to Grade 12. These donations help bring smiles to children’s faces as they walk with classmates down the halls at school.

“To be able to walk in with that confidence, it’s a nice feeling for my kids as well as for me because they’re going to be treated the same as everyone else,” Kayla says. “We’re people too and our children deserve the same opportunities as everybody else.”

Kayla is thankful for The Salvation Army’s assistance in bringing happiness to the lives of hard-working, low-income individuals who are trying their best to support their families through tough times.

Help The Salvation Army make a difference in the lives of people like Kayla by donating online today at www.salvationarmy.ca or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.