Local charities helping families get school supplies seeing 'unprecedented' demand
With the start of a new school year now weeks away, local charities say more people are turning to them to help provide school supplies than ever before.
United Way's Tools for School campaign aims to equip young pupils with backpacks full of all the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.
Last year, the organization distributed 12,500 backpacks to more than 300 schools and community agencies throughout the capital region.
To date, the non-profit has received 16,000 requests for backpacks, with many more anticipated — an unprecedented level of demand in the 30 years the campaign has run, Suzie Medhurst, United Way program lead, told CTV News Edmonton.
"It's a combination of factors," Medhurst said. "We are still seeing the effects of the pandemic, the cost of living has gone through the roof, and we're seeing a huge increase in the newcomers coming to Canada."
"If you're having to choose between paying a bill or putting groceries in your fridge or pantry," Medhurst added, "(after getting a backpack), we see a lot of people getting fairly emotional because it means a lot."
Normally, United Way's 10,000 square-foot warehouse is chock full of supplies, Medhurst added.
"It's definitely much emptier this year," she said, adding that the campaign only has enough supplies on hand to build 10,000 backpacks.
The increased need for school supplies is also being felt at the Hope Mission. More than 500 backpacks were handed out last year.
"The way that things are going with more families needing support, we wouldn't be surprised if it was more than that," said Lauren Reid, Hope Mission spokesperson.
"It's heartbreaking to think we might not succeed," Medhurst said. "(But) we are still optimistic we will succeed.
"Our community always steps up."
Both organizations are accepting new school supplies and monetary donations. For more information, visit Tools for Schools and the Hope Mission's websites. To get a backpack, call 211.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion, 1 person seriously injured: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.