Back to school might still be a month away, but for Best First Day partner organizations, including The Salvation Army, preparation starts early to give students the tools to succeed in class.<\/p>\n
Best First Day is a London-wide community backpack drive in partnership with the Thames Valley Education Foundation, The Salvation Army London Community and Family Services, and United Way Elgin Middlesex.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s goal is to collect and fill more than 4,000 backpacks for students in London, Elgin, Middlesex, and Oxford counties. Ongoing financial struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic means not all students will be properly prepared when class returns this September.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe expect the need is going to be greater than in the last two years and it\u2019s more important than ever to support students and empower them to have a successful start of school. We really want to give everyone the chance to be successful,\u201d says Rebecca Thiessen, Integrated Missions Manager with The Salvation Army London Community and Family Services.<\/p>\n
The Salvation Army in London also supports the partnership by picking up donations and dropping off backpacks at the various schools in London using a Salvation Army vehicle, making it easier for people to donate and simpler for schools to receive backpacks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe consequences of COVID-19 are still very widespread and very real to families needing to provide back to school supplies. When a family needs to decide between paying rent for a month or buying their children new shoes or backpacks, that\u2019s a very real struggle,\u201d Rebecca says.<\/p>\n
Donations of gender-neutral backpacks are needed, as they are easier to distribute to students. Lunch bags, binders, water bottles, scientific calculators, pens and pencils are also needed to support students.<\/p>\n