Back to school will look a little different this year, but what hasn’t changed is the need for essential school supplies for students.
And in a year that has seen significant economic upheaval, the Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation’s annual Stock the Lockers campaign is more important than ever.
When times are tight for families, children come to school hungry, without school supplies or shoes for PE, with ill-fitting or clothes, with no money for field trips or school sports; the annual campaign raises funds for school supplies and other practical needs of vulnerable school children, whether they’re learning in school or at home.
“We know that one in five students in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area is affected by poverty. By providing students with vital supports like essential school supplies and nutritious food, we can give them the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond,” notes Foundation executive director Crystal Dennison.
That’s where Stock the Lockers is vital.
Last year, the annual campaign provided:
- 1,200 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 with essential school supplies.
- $9,000 athletic, student and grad fees
- $7,400 basic supplies like clothing and gym shoes
“A special thank you to our Stock the Lockers partners, Staples, Country Grocer, Coastal Community Credit Union, The Wave-Wolf, Nanaimo News Bulletin and Woodgrove Centre. Together we are making a difference and we couldn’t do it without the generosity of our community,” Dennison says.
Additional support is provided through the Food4 Schools initiative, understanding that a nutritious meal is a vital component to learning. In fact, last year last year the Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation helped schools serve 72,000 breakfasts and lunches for 650 families throughout the district. When spring brought the sudden switch to at-home learning, the team quickly pivoted to provide those ingredients to a healthy meal for families at home. Almost 10,000 hampers were provided before school ended for summer.
The Foundation’s work doesn’t end in the classroom. Additional initiatives distributed $525,000 to students through 440 post-secondary learning bursaries, scholarships and awards. And its enhanced learning support provided teachers and schools with a variety of grants for special projects or programs designed to enhance learning and student experiences.
Learn more about the Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation at nlsf.ca or call 250-753-4074. Secure donations are also easy though CanadaHelps.Org, where you can direct your donation to a particular program. Although the Stock the Lockers campaign ends Aug. 31, the need does not.