2023 School Assistance Programs
It always seems too early to start thinking about Back to School, but for families that are stretching their budgets with summer activities and the cost of everyday living, getting ready for a new school year can be a major cause of stress and anxiety.
Fortunately, in many Prairie Division communities, The Salvation Army offers school assistance programs for families who qualify. Check out the list below to see if there is a program in your area. Contact your local Salvation Army if you do not see a program in your community.
Estevan, Saskatchewan
Contact Sharon or Lynn at The Salvation Army Cornerstone Circuit before August 8th at 306-634-2074. The program provides a backpack and a small amount of basic supplies so parents only need to get the extras that the teachers have asked for.
Info you will need: kids’ names, birthdates, and grades, household income and expenses.
Applicants are asked to come to The Salvation Army to fill out an application in person. Pick-up dates and times will be arranged with those who qualify.
Kenora, Ontario
The Salvation Army in Kenora supports backpack programs administered by local schools. Contact your school to see if they participate in the program.
Melfort, Nipawin & Tisdale, Saskatchewan (Salvation Army North East Circuit)
Registration deadline is August 17th. Contact The Salvation Army Thrift Store in each location. Melfort: 306-752-3525. Nipawin: 306-812-6179. Tisdale: 306-873-4643
They are also accepting donations of school supplies and cash at the Thrift Store in each location. The most needed items include: backpacks, 2″ binders, scissors, erasers, 30cm rulers, loose leaf, duotangs, lined notebooks, geometry sets, crayons, markers, blue & red pens, pencils, pencil boxes or cases, glue sticks, highlighters, pencil crayons, fine tip sharpies.
Regina, Saskatchewan (Haven of Hope)
Register online at havenofhope.ca/backpacks beginning August 1st at 9am. Registration closes on August 8th or as soon as all spots have been filled. There is a possibility to get on a waiting list after registration closes. Any remaining supplies will be distributed accordingly.
You can sponsor a fully-loaded backpack for $40. In Regina, payments can be made in person (cash, card or cheque) at the front desk of 2240 13th Avenue. You can also sponsor a backpack through an online donation – please call 306-757-4600 or send a message to let them know you’d like your donation allocated to the backpack program.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Salvation Army Saskatoon Temple)
Supporting low-income families with children in kindergarten to grade twelve by providing a backpack and basic school supplies for the upcoming school year. Register online at salvationarmysaskatoon.org on August 1st at 9 am and August 2nd at 1 pm. Registration is limited and will close once the spaces are filled.
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Fill out an application in person at The Salvation Army Swift Current Food Bank at 780 1st Ave NW between August 1st and August 18th.
They are also accepting monetary and school supply donations. Call 306-778-0515 or visit their Facebook page for more info.
Weyburn, Saskatchewan
Applications for the Salvation Army Weyburn Back to School program closed on July 28th. We are grateful to Bree Patterson at Royal Lepage Signature for her ongoing support of the program!
